Electrical safety devices and systems for use with electrical wiring, and methods for using same

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are systems and methods for monitoring an electrical flat wire. An appropriate safety device is utilized to monitor the electrical flat wire. The safety device includes a line side input configured to connect a line side power source and receive an electrical power signal from the line side power source. Additionally, the safety device includes a flat wire connection configured to connect to an electrical flat wire. The safety device further includes at least one relay configured to control the communication of the electrical power signal onto the electrical flat wire. The safety device also includes a control unit configured to test the electrical flat wire for at least one of miswires, wire faults, or abnormal conditions and, based at least in part on the results of the testing, to control the actuation of the at least one relay.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/782,450, entitled ELECTRICAL SAFETY DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FORUSE WITH ELECTRICAL WIRING, AND METHODS FOR USING SAME, which was filedon Jul. 24, 2007, and which claims priority from U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/820,197, entitled ACTIVE SAFETY DEVICES, which wasfiled on Jul. 24, 2006. Both of these applications are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to safety devices andsystems used in conjunction with electrical wiring and, moreparticularly, to safety devices and systems used in conjunction withelectrical flat wiring.

BACKGROUND

Most homes and commercial buildings utilize electrical wiring systems todistribute power throughout the structure. Typically, electrical wiringsystems carry a 120 or 240 volt signal at 15 or 30 amps, respectively,to provide electrical power for lighting systems, climate controlsystems, appliances, and other loads. Many accidents occur annually dueto penetrations of electrical wires or due to deterioration of olderwiring systems.

According to reports issued by the Consumer Products Safety Commission(CPSC) in 1997, home wire systems caused over 40,000 fires that resultedin 250 deaths and over $670 million of property damage. Further study bythe CPSC based on 40,300 electrical circuit fires showed that 36% weredue to installed wiring and 16% were due to cord/plugs.

Today, circuit breakers primarily protect against certain overload andshort circuit conditions which occur primarily in fixed wiring. Theoverload protection is provided by the slow heating of a bimetal stripthat breaks the circuit causing the breaker to trip after a specifiedperiod of time. The more current that runs through the bimetal, theshorter the time it takes to trip the breaker. Short circuit protectionmay be provided magnetically, that is, a high level of current may tripa breaker instantaneously. The lower limit of the magnetic trip settingmay be determined by the manufacturer such that the device does notnuisance trip on high inrush loads.

Circuit breakers do not protect against all hazards that may occurwithin electrical wiring systems. Therefore, in addition to circuitbreakers, there are many other safety devices that have been designedfor use with electrical wiring. These safety devices may providesecondary protection, which is additional to any protection provided bythe circuit breaker, or they may provide primary protection independentof that provided by the circuit breaker. These safety devices primarilyare designed to be used in conjunction with conventional electricalwire. Conventional electrical wire, as we know it today, typicallycontains two insulated, round inner conductors (e.g., hot/neutral orelectrifiable/return conductors) and a non-insulated ground conductor(e.g., grounding conductor), all within a thermoplastic outer insulator.The neutral or return conductor may also be referred to as a groundedconductor.

One such safety device that is commonly installed in electrical wiringsystems is a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). A GFCI measuresthe difference between the currents flowing through the hot conductorand the neutral conductor of a conventional electrical wire. If thedifference between the current flowing through the hot conductor and thecurrent flowing through the neutral conductor exceeds a few milliamps,the presumption is that current is leaking to ground via some otherpath. This may be because of a short circuit to, for example, thechassis of an appliance, or to the ground lead, or through a person. Anyof these situations may be hazardous, so the GFCI trips, breaking thecircuit.

Another safety device that is commonly installed in electrical wiringsystems is an Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI). An AFCI addselectronic protection to the standard thermal and magnetic protectionprovided by circuit breakers. The circuitry in an AFCI detects specificarcs that are determined to be likely to cause a fire. The AFCI useselectronics to recognize the current and voltage characteristics of thearcing faults on the electrical wire, and interrupts the circuit when afault is detected. Each AFCI has circuit logic, and perhaps controllogic, that is designed to detect specific types of arc faults. Thesearc faults are specific to the type of wiring the AFCI is designed to beimplemented with. Current AFCI's are designed to be used in conjunctionwith conventional wire systems to detect arc faults that commonly occurwithin those conventional wire systems.

A problem with many electrical wire safety devices is that they aredesigned to be used in conjunction with conventional three-conductorelectric wire. Current safety devices are not designed to be used inwiring systems that include flat electrical wire. A flat electrical wireand method of fabricating the electrical wire are described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/790,055 (Now U.S. Pat. No. 7,145,073),which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Flatelectrical wire is designed to be a surface-mounted ring system that canbe installed on surfaces such as a wall, ceiling or floor. Accordingly,flat electrical wire is designed to be thin and flexible in order toallow it to be easily concealed, for example, by being painted orpapered over. Currently existing safety devices are not specificallydesigned to be used in conjunction with and in many cases areincompatible with flat electrical wire. Accordingly, a need exists forone or more safety devices that are suitable for use with flatelectrical wire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Some or all of the above needs and/or problems may be addressed bycertain embodiments of the invention. Disclosed are devices, systems,and methods for monitoring a wire, such as an electrical flat wire, forone or more of miswires, wire faults, or abnormal conditions. Accordingto one embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a source devicefor use with electrical flat wire. The source device may include a lineside input, a flat wire connection, at least one relay, and a controlunit. The line side input may be configured to connect to a line sidepower source and to receive an electrical power signal from the lineside power source. The flat wire connection may be configured to connectto an electrical flat wire that includes a plurality of conductors. Theat least one relay may be configured to control the communication of theelectrical power signal onto the electrical flat wire. The control unitmay be configured to (i) direct the communication of at least one testsignal onto at least one conductor of the electrical flat wire, (ii)monitor one or more of the other conductors of the electrical flat wirefor one or more return signals, (iii) determine, based at least in parton the monitoring, whether a miswire or wire fault is associated withthe electrical flat wire, and (iv) control, based at least in part onthe determination, the actuation of the at least one relay.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed anelectrical flat wire system that includes a source device, a destinationdevice, and an electrical flat wire. The source device may be configuredto be coupled to a line side power source, and the source device mayinclude an active safety device and a first flat wire termination. Thedestination device may include a second flat wire termination. Theelectrical flat wire may have a first end coupled to the first flat wiretermination and a second end coupled to the second flat wiretermination. The active safety device may be configured to (i)communicate at least one test signal onto at least one conductor of theelectrical flat wire, (ii) monitor one or more of the other conductorsof the electrical flat wire for one or more return signals, (iii)determine, based at least in part on the monitoring, whether a miswireor wire fault is associated with the electrical flat wire, and (iv)control, based at least in part on the determination, the communicationof an electrical power signal from the line side power source to theelectrical flat wire.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed amethod for monitoring an electrical flat wire. An electrical flat wiremay be connected to a source device. The source device may be configuredto control the provision of an electrical power signal onto theelectrical flat wire. A test signal may be communicated by the sourcedevice onto a first conductor of the electrical flat wire. One or moreother conductors of the electrical flat wire may be monitored by thesource device for at least one return signal. Based at least in part onthe monitoring, the source device may determine whether a miswire orwire fault is associated with the electrical flat wire. Based at leastin part on the determination, the source device may control provision ofthe electrical power signal onto the electrical flat wire.

Additional systems, methods, apparatus, features, and aspects arerealized through the techniques of various embodiments of the invention.Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detailherein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. Otherembodiments, features, and aspects can be understood with reference tothe description and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a flat wire system including an ActiveSafety Device (ASD), according to an illustrative embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of a multi-planar, stacked, or protectivelayered flat wire that may be used in conjunction with an ASD, accordingto an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the components of an ASD, according to anillustrative embodiment of the invention

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of a control unit that may be associated withan ASD according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4B is an example flowchart of the operation of the control unit ofFIG. 4A, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a line side wire integrity componentthat may be incorporated into an ASD, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is an example flowchart of the operation of a line side wireintegrity component that may be incorporated into an ASD according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an example flowchart of the general operation of a load sidewire integrity component, according to an illustrative embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 8 is an example timing diagram of voltage or current based testsignals that may be applied by a load side wire integrity component,according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram of a voltage-based load side wireintegrity component that may be incorporated into an ASD, according toan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram of a current-based load side wireintegrity component that may be incorporated into an ASD, according toan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9C is a schematic diagram of a current-based load side wireintegrity component that utilizes testing relays in monitoring a flatwire for miswires and inter-layer shorts, according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 10 is an example flowchart of the operation of a load side wireintegrity component, according to an illustrative embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of another example load side wireintegrity component that may be incorporated into an ASD, according toan illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of another example load side wireintegrity component that may be incorporated into an ASD, according toan illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a circuit that may be utilized to testfor a flat wire connection at a destination module, according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 14A-14F are cross-sectional views depicting an example of thedynamics of a nail or tack penetration of a live multi-planar flat wire.

FIG. 15 is a representative graph of the voltage and current waveformspresent during a penetration of a flat wire by a nail as provided for inFIGS. 13A-13F.

FIGS. 16A-16D are cross-sectional views depicting examples of thedynamics of a penetration of a non-live multi-planar flat wire.

FIG. 17A is a schematic diagram of an example source device connectionto an electrical outlet and a flat wire, according to an illustrativeembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17B is a schematic diagram of an ASD with extender outlets,according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a flat wire system including an ActiveSafety Device (ASD) that monitors two flat wires connected to the samedestination device, according to an illustrative embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of multiple destination devices in aserial configuration being supported by a single source device,according to an illustrative embodiment of an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of a system in which multiple sourcedevices form a central device that monitors multiple flat wires in aroom, according to an illustrative embodiment of an aspect of theinvention.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of a network of source devices monitoredby a central hub, according to an illustrative embodiment of one aspectof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention now will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, theseinventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicablelegal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

The invention is described below with reference to block diagrams ofsystems, methods, apparatuses and computer program products according toan embodiment of the invention. It will be understood that each block ofthe block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams,respectively, can be implemented by computer program instructions. Thesecomputer program instructions may be loaded onto a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or other programmable dataprocessing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructionswhich execute on the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus create means for implementing the functionality of each blockof the block diagrams, or combinations of blocks in the block diagramsdiscussed in detail in the descriptions below.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablememory produce an article of manufacture including instruction meansthat implement the function specified in the block or blocks. Thecomputer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer orother programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series ofoperational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that theinstructions that execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in theblock or blocks.

Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams support combinations of meansfor performing the specified functions, combinations of steps forperforming the specified functions and program instruction means forperforming the specified functions. It will also be understood that eachblock of the block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the blockdiagrams, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computersystems that perform the specified functions or steps, or combinationsof special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The inventions may be implemented through an application program runningon an operating system of a computer. The inventions also may bepracticed with other computer system configurations, including hand-helddevices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor based or programmableconsumer electronics, mini-computers, mainframe computers, etc.

Application programs that are components of the invention may includeroutines, programs, components, data structures, etc. that implementcertain abstract data types, perform certain tasks, actions, or tasks.In a distributed computing environment, the application program (inwhole or in part) may be located in local memory, or in other storage.In addition, or in the alternative, the application program (in whole orin part) may be located in remote memory or in storage to allow for thepractice of the inventions where tasks are performed by remoteprocessing devices linked through a communications network. Exampleembodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described withreference to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like elementsthroughout the several drawings.

Disclosed are systems and methods for monitoring an electrical wire orelectrical wiring system for miswires and wire faults. An Active SafetyDevice (ASD) may be utilized to perform tests on an electrical wireprior to the electrification of the electrical wire, during theelectrification of the electrical wire, and following theelectrification of the electrical wire. If a miswire or wire fault isidentified or detected by the ASD prior to the electrification of theelectrical wire, then the electrical wire may be prevented from beingelectrified. If a miswire or wire fault is identified or detected by theASD during or following the electrification of the electrical wire, thenthe electrical wire may be de-energized. It will be appreciated that anASD may be utilized in many different types of applications, forexample, in conjunction with commercial and/or residential wiring. As anexample, an ASD may be utilized to monitor electrical wiring that isinstalled in a home or at a commercial or industrial site. The monitoredelectrical wiring may be wiring that is installed at the location at thetime of construction or during a rewiring project.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an Active Safety Device (ASD) 100 implementedin a flat electrical wire system 101 is shown, according to anillustrative embodiment of the invention. The flat electrical wiresystem 101 may include a source device 103, a flat wire 105, a line sidepower source 115, a destination device 117, and a load side destination125. The source device 103 may include an ASD 100 and a source module110. The destination device 117 may include a destination module 120 andan expansion module 122. For purposes of the present disclosure, an ASD100 is an electrical safety device, circuit, or module in accordancewith the invention containing reactive and/or proactive safetycomponents, circuits, and/or circuitry, as explained in greater detailbelow. It will be understood that in some embodiments, such as somecommercial embodiments, the source device 103 and its associatedcomponents, circuitry, and modules may be designated as an ASD. Whilethe illustrative embodiments described herein are in connection withflat electrical wire, an ASD 100 in accordance with embodiments of theinvention is equally applicable to conventional electrical wiring, suchas electric wire comprising elongated cylindrical conductors based onthe teaching disclosed herein.

A variety of flat wires may be used in conjunction with an ASD 100 inaccordance with embodiments of the invention. The flat wire 105 may be aflat electrical wire or other flat wire such as a speaker wire,telephone wire, low voltage wire, CATV wire, or under surface wire. Theflat wire 105 typically will be made up of multiple flat conductors thatmay be configured in a stacked, multi-planar, or protective layeredarrangement or in a parallel or coplanar arrangement having conductorswithin the same plane. Additionally, the conductors of the flat wire 105may contain multiple conductive adjacent or non-insulated sub-layers orflat strands. The flat wire 105 may also contain one or more opticalfibers. One example of a flat wire that may be used in accordance withthe ASD 100 is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/790,055(Publication No. US 2005/0042942), entitled “Electrical Wire and Methodof Fabricating the Electrical Wire,” which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. Other examples of flat wires that may be usedin accordance with the ASD 100 include, but are not limited to, the flatwires disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,768, entitled “FlatSurface-Mounted Multi-Purpose Wire,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,107,577, entitled“Flat Surface-Mounted Multi-Purpose Wire,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,492,595,entitled “Flat Surface-Mounted Multi-Purpose Wire,” and U.S. Pat. No.6,774,741, entitled “Non-uniform Transmission Line and Method ofFabricating the Same.” the disclosures of which are incorporated byreference herein in their entirety.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of a multi-planar flat wire 105 that maybe used in conjunction with an ASD 100, according to an illustrativeembodiment of the invention. The flat wire 105 of FIG. 2 may be anelectrical flat wire with stacked conductors. At least one electrifiableconductor 205 (or hot conductor) may be situated between two returnconductors 210, 215, (or neutral conductors) and the two returnconductors 210, 215 may be formed such that the electrifiable conductor205 is substantially entrapped by the first and second return conductors210, 215. The term substantially entrapped may be utilized to refer to asituation in which the electrifiable conductor 205 cannot be contactedby a foreign object (e.g., a nail, screw, staple, etc.) without theforeign object first contacting one of the return conductors 210, 215.The term substantially entrapped does not necessarily mean that thereturn conductors 210, 215 completely surround the electrifiableconductor 205 (although such a design is possible). Instead, the termmay mean that any distance between the return conductors 210, 215 may besmall enough that a foreign object cannot reasonably go between thereturn conductors 210, 215 and the electrifiable conductor 205 withoutcontacting one or more of the return conductors 210, 215.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, two grounding conductors 220, 225may be included in the flat wire 105. The various conductors of the flatwire 105 may be assembled in a stacked configuration such that theelectrifiable conductor 205 is situated between the two returnconductors 210, 215 and that three conductor arrangement is thensandwiched between the two grounding conductors 220, 225. Thisconfiguration may be referred to as a G-N-H-N-G configuration.

Additionally, insulation material may be disposed between each of theconductors of the flat wire 105. The insulation material may prevent thevarious conductors of the flat wire 105 from contacting one another andcreating a short circuit in the flat wire 105. Electrifiable conductorinsulation material 230 may surround the electrifiable conductor 205 andprevent the electrifiable conductor 205 from making electrical contactwith the other conductors of the flat wire 105. Additionally, returnconductor insulation material 235 may be disposed between the returnconductors 210, 215 and the corresponding grounding conductors 220, 225to prevent the first return conductor 210 from contacting thecorresponding first grounding conductor 220 and to prevent the secondreturn conductor 215 from contacting the corresponding second groundingconductor 225. Grounding conductor insulation 240 may be disposedopposite the first grounding conductor 220 and the second groundingconductor 225, and the grounding conductor insulation 240 may preventthe grounding conductors 220, 225 from contacting an object or surfacethat is external to the flat wire 105.

Alternatively, each conductor of the flat wire 105 may be individuallywrapped with an insulation material. In this alternative configuration,electrifiable conductor insulation material 230 would be disposed onboth sides of the electrifiable conductor 205 to separate theelectrifiable conductor 205 from the return conductors 210, 215. Returnconductor insulation material 235 would be disposed on both sides ofeach of the return conductors 210, 215 to separate the return conductors210, 215 from the electrifiable conductor 205 and the groundingconductors 220, 225. Grounding conductor insulation material 240 wouldbe disposed on both sides of each of the grounding conductors 220, 225to separate the grounding conductors 220, 225 from the return conductors210, 215 and any objects or surfaces that are external to the flat wire105. In the alternative configuration, two layers of insulation materialare disposed between any two conductors of the flat wire 105, therebydecreasing the possibility of short circuits between the conductors ofthe flat wire 105. In other words, a short circuit between twoconductors of the flat wire 105 exists when there is a flaw in theinsulation material between the two conductors. For example, if only asingle layer of insulation material is disposed between each of theconductors of the flat wire 105, a short circuit might occur if there isa flaw in the insulation material disposed between the electrifiableconductor 205 and one of the return conductors 210. If, however, each ofthe conductors of the flat wire 105 is individually wrapped withinsulation material, the possibility of a short circuit between twoconductors is decreased because flaws would likely need to be present inboth layers of insulation material disposed between the two conductors,and the flaws would need to line up with one another or be situated inclose proximity to one another. For example, for a short circuit tooccur between the electrifiable conductor 205 and one of the returnconductors 210, flaws must be present in both the electrifiableconductor insulation material 230 and in the return conductor insulationmaterial 235 disposed between the two conductors. Additionally, theseflaws would need to line up with one another or be situated in closeproximity to one another.

Although a five-conductor stacked flat wire is depicted in FIG. 2, itwill be appreciated that the ASD 100 may be utilized to monitor flatwires with many different conductor configurations. For example, flatwires with a wide variety of stacked conductor configurations may bemonitored by the ASD 100. As an example, a three conductor flat wirehaving a stacked configuration may be monitored by the ASD 100. Thethree conductor flat wire may include an electrifiable conductor that issubstantially entrapped by first and second return conductors, and thethree conductor configuration may be referred to as a N-H-Nconfiguration. Additionally, various flat wire embodiments containingparallel or coplanar arrangements of conductors may be monitored by theASD 100. For example, a three conductor flat wire having a coplanararrangement may be monitored by the ASD 100. The three conductorcoplanar flat wire may include an electrifiable conductor, a returnconductor, and a grounding conductor disposed in a parallelconfiguration within the same plane.

With reference back to FIG. 1, in a flat wire system 101, a flat wire105 may be connected to the ASD 100 through a source module 110. Thesource module 110 may be physically separate from the ASD 100, oralternatively, the source module 110 may be integrated into the ASD 100.The source module 110 may serve as a mechanical or electromechanicalconnection between the flat wire 105 and the ASD 100. The variousconductors of the flat wire 105, may be terminated at the source module110. Termination points within the source module 110 may includeterminal blocks, crimp-on terminals, plug and socket connectors,insulation displacement connectors (IDC), conductor penetrationconnectors (CPC), or any other suitable electrical connector as will beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art. It will be appreciatedthat one or more appropriate detection devices may be utilized to verifythat the source module 110 is connected to the ASD 100 and/or that thetermination points are connected to the source module 110. For example,a ground pin or plug may be extended through the source module 110and/or the termination points in order to detect the presence of thesource module 110 and/or the termination points. As another example, anoptical detection device may be utilized. Furthermore, it will beunderstood that a combination of detection devices may be utilized.

The ASD 100 may also be connected to a line side power source 115. Theline side power source 115 may be any standard electric power sourceincluding a power wire coming from a circuit box, a conventional in-wallelectrical wire, a flat electrical wire, or any other electrical wirecapable of delivering electric power. For flat wire 105 branch circuitapplications, the line side power source 115 may be a typicalwall-mounted or in-wall power outlet or power receptacle. Typically, theline side power source 115 will carry an electrical voltage ofapproximately 110-130 VAC or approximately 220-250 VAC.

The line side power source 115 may be physically separate from thesource device 103 or, alternatively, the line side power source 115 maybe integrated into the source device 103. For example, if a conventionalin-wall electrical wire were directly connected to the source device103, the line side power source 115 would be physically separate fromthe source device 103. Alternatively, the line side power source 115 maybe integrated into the source device 103 in a situation in which thesource device 103 includes, for example, a conventional three-prong plugthat may be inserted into a standard electrical outlet.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the flat wire 105 may create a connectionbetween the source module 110 and one or more destination devices 117.The one or more destination devices 117 may include a destination module120 and an expansion module 122. Much like the source module 110, adestination module 120 may serve as a mechanical or electro-mechanicalconnection between the flat wire 105 and the destination device 117. Thevarious conductors of the flat wire 105 may be terminated at thedestination module 120. Termination points within the destination module120 may include terminal blocks, crimp-on terminals, plug and socketconnectors, insulation displacement connectors (IDC), conductorpenetration connectors (CPC), or any other electrical connector as willbe understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

An expansion module 122 may be included in a destination device 117, andthe expansion module 122 may serve as a mechanical or electro-mechanicalconnection between the destination device 117 and a load sidedestination 125. A load side destination 125 may include a power outletor receptacle, a wired device, a terminal block, a safety component,“flying leads,” or any other load side connection as will be understoodby those of ordinary skill in the art. Termination points within theexpansion module 122 used to connect the load side destination 125 tothe expansion module 122 may include terminal blocks, crimp-onterminals, plug and socket connectors, insulation displacementconnectors (IDC), conductor penetration connectors (CPC), or any otherelectrical connector as will be understood by those of ordinary skill inthe art. It will also be understood by those of skill in the art thatthe load side destination may be connected to the destination module 120as an alternative to being connected to the expansion module 122.

The load side destination 125 may be physically separate from thedestination device 117 or, alternatively, the load side destination 125may be integrated into the destination device 117. For example, if anelectrical device such as a lamp were directly connected to thedestination device 117, the load side destination 125 would bephysically separate from the destination device 117. Alternatively, theload side destination 125 may be integrated into the destination device117 in a situation in which the destination device 117 includes, forexample, one or more electrical sockets. The destination device 117 mayinclude any number of electrical sockets configured to receiveelectrical plugs. For example, the destination device 117 may includeone, two, three, or four sockets that serve as a load side destination125.

Additionally, the expansion module 122 may be used to create amechanical or electro-mechanical connection between the destinationdevice 117 and a second destination device, as explained in greaterdetail below with reference to FIG. 18. In such an embodiment, a secondflat wire 105 may be, for example, connected to the expansion module 122and used to create a connection between the expansion module 122 and thesecond destination device. Termination points within the expansionmodule 122 may include terminal blocks, crimp-on terminals, plug andsocket connectors, insulation displacement connectors (IDC), conductorpenetration connectors (CPC), or any other electrical connector as willbe understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Additionally, as explained in greater detail below, the destinationdevice 117 may be capable of communicating with the ASD 100 through thesource module 110 over the flat wire 105. The destination device 117 mayalso be capable of communicating with a second destination devicethrough the expansion module 122 over a second flat wire 105, asexplained in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 15.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the components of a source device 103,according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The ASD 100may include a line side input 305, one or more relays 310, a flat wireI/O interface 311, a control unit 312, and various safety componentsincluding one or more of a GFCI component 315, an AMC component 320, anover-current protection component 325, a ground current monitoringcomponent 330, a line side wire integrity component 335, and a load sidewire integrity component 340.

The ASD 100 may be powered by a power source, which may be connected tothe ASD 100 at the line side input 305. For example, the line side powersource 115 may be connected to the line side input 305 of the ASD 100 toprovide power to the ASD 100. Further, the one or more relays 310 maycontrol the flow of an electrical signal, which may be an electricalpower signal, from a power source through the ASD 100 to the sourcemodule 110. Each of the one or more relays 310 may be, for example, adouble pole single throw (DPST) relay. It will be understood that amultitude of other relays may be used by the ASD 100 including, but notlimited to, one or more single pole single throw (SPST) relays, one ormore single pole double throw (SPDT) relays, one or more single polechangeover or center off relays (SPCO), one or more double pole doublethrow relays (DPDT), or one or more double pole changeover or center offrelays (DPCO).

The ASD 100 may include a single (common or main) relay 310 or it mayinclude multiple relays in other suitable configurations within the ASD100. For example, each safety component of the ASD 100 may includesubordinate or dedicated relays or, alternatively, various components ofthe ASD 100 may share a common or main relay 310. As another example, aseparate relay may be provided for various conductors of a flat wire 105that is connected to the source module 110. For example, a first relaymay be provided for the electrifiable conductor 205 and a second relaymay be provided for the return conductors 210, 215. Each of the relaysmay be actuated independently of one another or, alternatively, aplurality of the relays may be jointly actuated. It will be appreciatedthat the ASD 100 may utilize one or more relays to communicate testsignals onto the flat wire 105 without providing an electrical powersignal to the electrifiable conductor 205 of the flat wire 105. Forexample, as explained in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 11,the second relay may be utilized to communicate a test signal onto thereturn conductors 210, 215 of the flat wire 105, and the ASD 100 maythen monitor the flat wire 105 for miswires and/or wire faults. If theASD 100 determines that no miswires and/or wire faults exist on the flatwire 105, then the ASD 100 may utilize the first relay to permit anelectrical power signal to be communicated only the electrifiableconductor 105. Unless otherwise stated in this disclosure, for purposesof simplicity, reference will be made to an ASD 100 that includes asingle relay 310 that is utilized to control the communication of anelectrical power signal onto the electrifiable conductor 105 of the flatwire 105.

In the illustrative embodiment with a single relay 310, also referred toas the common or main relay, the ASD 100 may maintain the relay 310 ineither an opened position or a closed position. When the relay 310 ismaintained in a closed position, electrical power may be permitted toflow from a line side power source 115 through the ASD 100 to the sourcemodule 110. As shown in FIG. 3, an ASD power line 350 may be included inthe ASD 100 to carry the electrical power from the line side input 305through the ASD 100 to the source module 110; however, it will beunderstood that electrical power could be propagated through the ASD 100via circuitry other than an ASD power line 350, such as through thevarious individual safety components of the ASD 100. The ASD power line350 is included in this disclosure for simplification purposes in orderto facilitate the understanding of the invention. From the source module110, the electrical power may then be transmitted onto the flat wire 105and be delivered to the destination module 120.

Alternatively, when the relay 310 is maintained in an opened position,an electrical signal is not allowed to flow from a line side powersource 115 through the ASD 100 to the source module 110. The ASD 100 maybeneficially be configured to default to maintaining the relay 310 in anopened position. By defaulting to an opened position, the ASD 100 mayensure that no faults are present in the flat wire system 101 prior tofull electrification or energization of the flat wire system 101.Accordingly, whenever the ASD 100 loses power, if the relay 310 is notin an opened position, the relay 310 may be switched to an openedposition in order to permit the ASD 100 to perform tests on the flatwire system 101.

According to an aspect of the invention, the relay 310 may be part of azero crossing circuit. Alternatively, the zero crossing circuit may be apart of the control unit 312, and the control unit 312 may receive apower signal, such as an alternating current power signal, from the lineside input 305 and provide a coil control signal (such as a 120 VAC, 24VDC or 12 VDC signal) to the relay 310. A zero crossing circuit is anelectrical circuit that detects an alternating current load voltage ator close to zero phase occurring once for each alternating current halfcycle. The zero crossing circuit may be used in connection with theopening or closing of the relay 310 in order to assist in opening orclosing the relay 310 at a point in time that is close to the zero phaseof the input signal. Zero crossing circuits may work on voltage zerocrossings or on current zero crossings. The zero crossing circuit maytake inherent turn-on and turn-off delays associated with the relay 310into account when making zero crossing contact closures or breaks of themain relay 310. Since typical power systems in many countries run at 60cycles per second or Hertz (Hz), a zero crossing occurs approximatelyevery 8.3 milliseconds (ms). A typical relay 310 may have, for example,a 5 millisecond actuation time (closing time) and a 3 millisecond breaktime (opening time). In this example, for zero crossing turn-on, therelay coil must be energized for 3.3 ms (or the 8.3 ms cycle time—the 5ms actuation time) after the last zero crossing of the input signal toproduce a contact closure (actuation) of the relay 310 at the next zerocrossing of the input signal. Similarly, in the same example, the relaycoil must be de-energized for 5.3 ms (or the 8.3 ms cycle time—the 3 msbreak time) after the last zero crossing to produce a contact break(de-actuation or opening) at the next zero crossing of the input signal.Accordingly, the output of power from the ASD 100 onto the flat wire 105will start as soon as possible once the relay 310 is closed.Additionally, the input waveform from the line side 115 will match theoutput waveform across the flat wire 105 as closely as possible meaningthat less energy is dissipated in the ASD 100 and source module 110circuitry. The ability of the ASD 100 to perform a zero cross turn on orturn off of the relay 310 may extend the lifetime of the contacts in therelay 310, limit the contact arc-showering effect, limit electromagneticemissions, and limit conducted electrical noise from the relay 310.

According to another aspect of the invention, it will be appreciatedthat the relay 310 may be actuated for a short period of time in whichtests may be performed on the flat wire 105. For example, the relay 310may be actuated for a period of time that is less than or approximatelyequal to the time that it takes for one half of a typical power cycle.As explained in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 9, 11 and12, the ASD 100 may test one or more conductors of the flat wire 105during the time that the relay 310 is actuated.

According to another aspect of the invention, the ASD 100 may be able todetect slow breaking (i.e., sticky) contacts in the relay 310. Thecontrol unit 312 of the ASD 100 may monitor the contact break times ofthe relay 310 with a counter or other timing device. The control unit312 may directly monitor the break time of the relay 310, or the controlunit 312 may monitor the break time of the relay 310 by receivinginformation from the flat wire I/O interface 311. By monitoring thebreak time of the relay 310, the control unit 312 may detect a slowbreak time for the relay 310. For preventative maintenance purposes, theASD 100 may alert a user of these slow breaking contacts so that the ASD100 may be repaired or replaced. The user may be alerted in a number ofways by the ASD 100. One possible method for alerting a user is toactivate an LED on the exterior of the ASD 100 that will alert the userto the potential main relay contact problems. Another method foralerting the user is to transmit a communication from the ASD 100 toeither another ASD 100, a central hub or control panel, or some otherdevice, as will be explained in greater detail below with reference toFIGS. 16-17.

According to another aspect of the invention, the ASD 100 may include acontrol unit 312. The control unit 312 may control the various safetycomponents of the ASD 100. Alternatively, each individual safetycomponent of the ASD 100 may include its own control unit or variouscomponents of the ASD 100 may share control units. The control unit 312may contain one or more microcontrollers and associated components suchas resistors, diodes, capacitors, and crystals or, alternatively, thecontrol unit 312 may be any other suitable device and associatedcircuitry for controlling an electronic circuit including, but notlimited to, microprocessors, one or more programmable logic arrays, astate machine, a mini-computer, or a general purpose computer along withany associated firmware and software. It will be appreciated that manydifferent types of control units may be incorporated into, associatedwith, or in communication with the ASD 100. It will further beappreciated that a control unit may include any number of processors. Acontrol unit may also be external to and/or located remotely to the ASD100, and the control unit may communicate with the components of the ASD100 via a suitable network connection, such as a wired networkconnection or a wireless network connection.

According to an aspect of the invention, the control unit 312 may beconfigured to or operable to store various types of data associated withthe operation of the ASD 100. The data may include data associated withthe operation of the various safety components of the ASD 100.Additionally, the data may include measurements data that has been takenwhile monitoring the flat wire 105 in accordance with the operation ofthe various safety components of the ASD 100. The data may also includeone or more counters associated with the operation of the ASD 100 andthe various safety components of the ASD 100. For example, the data mayinclude a number of counters that the ASD 100 and/or the various safetycomponents of the ASD 100 has recognized a miswire or wire fault on flatwire that is monitored by the ASD 100. The stored data may be utilizedduring subsequent operations of the ASD 100. For example, data stored inassociated with the operation of a safety component of the ASD 100 maylater be utilized in association with the operation of the safetycomponent of the ASD 100 and/or in association with the operation ofother safety components (or the control unit 312) of the ASD 100. Itwill be appreciated that a wide variety of data may be stored by the ASD100 or by one or more memory devices associated with the ASD 100. Thedata items that may be stored by the ASD 100 include, but are notlimited to those listed in Table 1 below:

TABLE 1 Data Items that may be Stored Data Item Type Initial Value HotRelay Normal Actuations Count counter 0 Hot Relay Normal Actuationslimit for end of limit 75000 life Hot Relay High Current ActuationsCount counter 0 Hot Relay High Current Actuations Limit for limit 5 endof life Fatal non-resetable (internal) Fault Code code 0 Non-fatalLimited Resetable Fault Count counter 0 Non-fatal Unlimited ResetableFault Count counter 0 Hot Relay Actuation Time value 0 Hot Relay ReleaseTime value 0 Fault code #1 count counter 0 Fault code #2 count counter 0Fault code #3 count counter 0 Fault code #4 count counter 0 Fault code#5 count counter 0 Fault code #6 count counter 0 Fault code #7 countcounter 0 Fault code #8 count counter 0 Fault code #9 count counter 0Fault code #10 count counter 0 Fault code #11 count counter 0 Fault code#12 count counter 0 Fault code #13 count counter 0 Fault code #14 countcounter 0 Fault code #15 count counter 0 Fault code #16 count counter 0Fault code #17 count counter 0 Fault code #18 count counter 0 Fault code#19 count counter 0

It will be appreciated that other data items may be stored by the ASD100. it will also be appreciated that, in some embodiments of theinvention, the initial values of one or more of the data items may bedifferent than those listed in Table 1. With reference to Table 1, theHot Relay Normal Actuations Count may keep track of the number of timesthat the relay 310 is actuated during the normal course of the operationof the ASD 100; the Hot Relay Normal Actuations Limit may establish alimit for the normal actuations of the relay 310 during the lifetime ofthe ASD 100; the Hot Relay High Current Actuations Count may keep trackof the number of times that the relay 310 is tripped as a result of ahigh current event, as explained in greater detail below with referenceto FIG. 4A; the Hot Relay High Current Actuations Limit for end of Lifeparameter may establish a limit for the number of high currentactuations of the relay 310 during the lifetime of the ASD 100, asexplained in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 4A; the FatalNon-Resetable Fault Code may establish a code to be stored for anyidentified Fatal Non-Resetable Faults; the Non-fatal Limited ResetableFault Count may keep track of the number of Non-fatal Limited ResetableFaults that are identified; the Non-fatal Unlimited Resetable FaultCount may keep track of the number of Non-fatal Unlimited ResetableFaults that are identified; the Hot Relay Actuation Time Parameter mayestablish a value for the time that it takes to actuate the relay 100;the Hot Relay Release Time Parameter may establish a value for the timethat it takes to release the relay 100; and the parameters for FaultCodes 1-19 Counts may keep track of the number of different types offaults that are identified by the ASD 100. It will be appreciated thatmany different types of faults may be identified and that each fault maybe associated with its own counter.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of an example control unit 312 that may beassociated with an ASD 100 according to certain embodiments of theinvention. The control unit 312 may include a memory 405 and a processor410. The memory may store programmed logic 415 (e.g. software code) inaccordance with the invention. The memory 405 may also includemeasurements data 420 utilized in the operation of the invention,counters or states utilized in the operation of the invention 422, andan operating system 425. The processor 410 may utilize the operatingsystem 425 to execute the programmed logic 415, and in doing so, alsoutilizes the measurement data 420. The programmed logic 415 may includethe logic associated with the operation of the one or more safetycomponents of the ASD 100. A data bus 430 may provide communicationbetween the memory 405 and the processor 410. The control unit 312 maybe in communication with the other components of the ASD 100 and perhapsother external devices, for example, lights, speakers, keyboards, mousedevices, and other user interface devices, as well as data linesconnected to other ASD's or electrical appliances, via an I/O Interface440. Additionally, measurement devices configured to take variouselectrical measurements of the flat wire 105 may be in directcommunication with the control unit 312 via a measurement devicesinterface 450 or, alternatively, may communicate with the control unit312 via the I/O Interface 440. These measurement devices may be includedin the flat wire I/O interface 311, as described in greater detailbelow. Further, the control unit 312 and the programmed logic 415implemented thereby may comprise software, hardware, firmware or anycombination thereof.

The control unit 312 may control and/or include the various safetycomponents of the ASD 100. Additionally, the control unit 312 may storedata relating to the status of the flat wire system 101. For example,the control unit 312 may maintain flags or states for each of the safetycomponents of the ASD 100 in order to determine when to trip the relay310 of the ASD 100 and to indicate, in the event of a miswire or faultdetection, which safety component identified the flat wire 105 miswireor fault. The control unit 312 may also store measurements data 420associated with the operation of the various safety components of theASD 100. In addition, before the relay 310 of the ASD 100 is closed,allowing a flat wire 105 to be electrified, the control unit 312 maycause each safety component to test the flat wire 105 for miswire and/orwire faults. The control unit 312 may also be configured to take acontrol action when a miswire or wire fault in the flat wire 105 isdetected. A control action may include, in addition to maintaining orforcing the relay 310 into its open position, an action that informs auser of the ASD 100 about the miswire or fault detection. For example, avisual indicator such as an LCD display or one or more LED's may beincluded in the ASD 100, and the display or LED's may be actuated insuch a manner as to inform a user of the miswire or fault detection andthe nature of the miswire or fault detected. As one example, the ASD 100may include a single LED that is activated by the control unit 312 whena fault is detected to inform a user of the fault. As an alternativeexample, the ASD 100 may include an LED associated with each safetycomponent of the ASD 100 and, when a miswire or fault is detected, thecontrol unit 312 may activate the LED associated with the safetycomponent that detected the miswire or fault. Another control actionthat may be taken by the control unit 312 is the transmission of amessage indicating the detection of the miswire or fault. The controlunit 312 may transmit the message to another ASD 100, to a central hubor control panel, or to another destination, as will be explained ingreater detail below. It will be understood that other indicators suchas audible alarms may also be utilized by the ASD 100. Indicators thatmay be used by the ASD 100 beneficially add to the overall safety of theASD 100 by informing a user of a fault and potentially pinpointing thefault for the user.

The control unit 312 may also include one or more counters and/or timers422. Counters and/or timers 422 associated with each safety componentmay be used by the control unit 312 to track the number of times aparticular safety component has detected a miswire or wire fault in theflat wire 105. Additionally, a universal timer or counter may be used totrack the number of times the ASD 100 has detected a miswire or wirefault in the flat wire system 101. Separate counters may also beutilized to track detected miswires and detected wire faults. Thesecounters and/or timers 422 may be used to monitor the flat wire system101, and may be used to generate states that indicate the currentcondition of the flat wire system 101. The counts and/or states may beused to perform preventive maintenance on the flat wire system 101. Thestorage capability of the counters and/or timers 422 may also benon-volatile, for example, in non-volatile memory, so that informationincluding counts and states are not lost during a power outage orbrown-out condition.

According to an aspect of the invention, the control unit 312 mayadditionally include at least one lifetime counter. It will beappreciated that the relay 310 may have a lifetime associated with it.In other words, the relay 310 may cease to operate properly after it hasbeen actuated normally for a certain number of times or after it hasbeen tripped several times as the result of a detected high currentevent. For normal actuations of the relay 310, the lifetime of the relaymay be a fairly large value, such as the value shown for the Hot RelayNormal Actuations Limit for End of Life parameter of Table 1. For thenumber of trips due to detected high current events, a predictedlifetime of the relay 310 may be similar to a mean trips to failure forthe relay 310, such as the value shown in the Hot Relay High CurrentActuations Limit for end of Life parameter of Table 1. Different typesof relays 310 that may be utilized by the ASD 100 may be associated withdifferent lifetimes. A lifetime counter associated with a relay 310 maybe configured to count down from or up to a predetermined thresholdvalue. The threshold value may be a value that is less than or equal tothe predicted lifetime of the relay 310. For example, if the predictedlifetime of the relay is 8-10 trips, then the threshold value may beestablished as 5 trips of the relay 310. Once the relay 310 has beentripped a number of times equal to the threshold value, the ASD 100 maydeactivate the relay 310 and prevent the relay 310 from being closed bya user event, for example, a reset of the ASD 100. Utilizing the exampleof the relay 310 with a threshold value established as 5 trips, a usermay reset an ASD 100 and the relay 310 following the first four trips ofthe relay 310; however, once the relay 310 has tripped for the fifthtime, a user will not be permitted to reset the ASD 100 and the relay310. In such a situation, the user may be required to return or send theASD 100 to a retailer, distributor, manufacturer, or repair centerassociated with the ASD 100 in order to have the relay 310 and/or theASD 100 tested, updated, and/or replaced. It will be appreciated thatthe lifetime counter may prevent a situation in which the ASD 100 andthe relay 310 is reset, but the relay 310 is not capable of trippingwhen a miswire or wire fault is detected by the ASD 100.

According to an aspect of the invention, each of the one or morelifetime counters of the ASD 100 may be associated with specific typesof errors detected by the ASD 100. For example, the lifetime counter maybe associated with errors that lead to a tripping of the relay 310 dueto a high current event, thereby causing an electrified flat wire 105 tobe de-energized. It will be appreciated that not all errors detected ordetectable by the ASD 100 will lead to a tripping of the relay 310 as aresult of a high current event. For example, an error detected prior tothe electrification of the flat wire 105 may not lead to a tripping ofthe relay 310. According to an aspect of the invention, there are threedifferent types of exceptions or alarms that may be recognized by theASD 100. The first type of alarm is a fatal non-resetable alarm, whichmay be recognized if a failure of any of the internal circuitry of theASD 100 is detected. For example, a fatal non-resetable alarm may berecognized if a stuck relay is identified, if a fuse incorporated intothe ASD 100 is blown, if a detected signal is outside of a detectablerange, if a failure of self-test circuitry associated with the ASD 100is detected, and/or if a lifetime counter has exceeded or reached athreshold value. The second type of alarm is a non-fatal limitedresetable alarm, which may be an alarm that is associated with a highcurrent event on the flat wire 105. For example, a non-fatal limitedresetable alarm may be recognized if a wire fault is detected on anelectrified flat wire 105. The third type of alarm may be a non-fatalunlimited resetable alarm, which may be associated with a non-fatalalarm that does not involve a high current event. It will be understoodthat the ASD 100 may allow an unlimited number of the third type ofalarm to occur; however, it will also be appreciated that a limit may beassociated with this type of alarm. It will further be appreciated thatan ASD 100 in accordance with the invention may recognize many differenttypes of alarms and that those alarms described herein are merelyexample types of alarms.

FIG. 4B is an example flowchart of the general operation of the ASD 100of FIG. 3 and the control unit 312 of FIG. 4A, according to anillustrative embodiment of the invention. The operation described inFIG. 4B may include the operations that are performed to monitor a flatwire 105 by the ASD 100. At block 455, power may be applied to the ASD100, and the ASD 100 may commence operation at block 460. At block 460,the ASD 100 may test the line side 115 for miswires. If a line sidemiswire is detected at block 465, then the ASD 100 may go to block 470and prevent the relay 310 from being closed, thereby preventing theelectrification of the flat wire 105. If, at block 465, no line sidemiswires are detected by the ASD 100, then the ASD 100 may go to block475 and test the load side flat wire 105 for miswires and/or wirefaults. If, at block 480, a miswire or wire fault is detected on theflat wire 105, then the ASD 100 may go to block 470 and prevent therelay 310 from being closed, thereby preventing the electrification ofthe flat wire 105. If however, at block 480, no miswires and/or wirefaults are detected on the flat wire 105, then the ASD 100 may go tostep 485. At lock 485, the relay 310 of the ASD 100 may be closed, andthe flat wire 105 may be electrified. During the electrification of theflat wire 105 and after the flat wire 105 has been electrified, the ASD100 may monitor the flat wire 105 for wire faults at block 490. If afault is detected on the flat wire 105 at block 495, then the ASD 100may go to block 470 and open the relay 310, thereby causing the flatwire 105 to be de-electrified or de-energized. If, however, no wirefaults are detected on the flat wire 105 at block 495, then the ASD 100may go to block 490 and continue monitoring the flat wire 105.

It also will be understood by those of skill in the art that the testsperformed by the control unit 312 do not necessarily have to beperformed in the order set forth in the logic of FIG. 4B, but insteadmay be performed in any suitable order. It also will be understood thatthe control unit 312 does not have to conduct each test set forth inFIG. 4B, but instead may conduct less than all of the tests set forth inFIG. 4B. Additionally, if a miswire or wire fault is detected by thecontrol unit 312 or by a safety component in communication with thecontrol unit 312, then an indicator may be stored by the control unit312 or the associated safety component, and the indicator may includeinformation as to which test(s) resulted in the detection of the miswireor wire fault. This indicator may then be transmitted by the ASD 100 toanother device such as a second ASD 100, a central monitoring device, ora computer.

As mentioned earlier, the ASD 100 may include both reactive and/orproactive safety components. A reactive safety component of the ASD 100may detect a wire fault in the flat wire 105 after the flat wire 105 hasbeen fully electrified. A reactive safety component may also detect awire fault during the full electrification of the flat wire 105 orduring the time period that it takes to fully electrify the flat wire105 after a full electrification signal is allowed to flow onto the flatwire 105. In other words, a reactive safety component may detect wirefaults while a voltage in the range of approximately 90 to 130 VAC (fora standard 120 VAC power system, such as a North American power system)or a voltage in the range of approximately 220 to 250 VAC (for astandard 240 VAC power system, such as a European power system) ispresent on the electrical flat wire 105. It will be understood that eachcountry or region may have differing voltage or current standards thatmay be taken into account in the design and implementation of the ASD100. Additionally, it will be appreciated that one or more reactivetests may be conducted constantly following the electrification of theflat wire 105. Alternatively, one or more reactive tests may beconducted periodically following the electrification of the flat wire105.

A proactive safety component of the ASD 100 may detect a wire faultprior to full power electrification of the flat wire 105. In otherwords, a proactive safety component may perform checks or tests on theelectrical flat wire 105, such as checks or tests that involve thecommunication of voltage or current test signals onto the flat wire 105,prior to allowing full electrification of the flat wire 105.

Reactive safety components of the ASD 100 may include one or more of aground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) 315, an arc mitigation circuit(AMC) 320, an over-current protection component 325, and a groundcurrent monitoring component 330. Proactive safety components of the ASD100 may include one or more of a line side wire integrity component 335and a load side wire integrity component 340. Each of these safetycomponents is discussed in greater detail below.

The reactive and proactive safety components of the ASD 100 may utilizevarious electrical measurements associated with line side conventionalwiring as well as the flat wire 105 that is connected to the ASD 100 andsource module 110 respectively in determining whether or not a miswirecondition or wire fault exists on either side of the ASD 100. The ASD100 may utilize the various measurements to detect miswires on the lineside of the ASD 100 and to detect miswires and/or wire faults on theflat wire 105 that is connected on the load side of the ASD 100. The ASD100 may include a flat wire I/O interface 311 that is capable of takingelectrical measurements associated with the various conductors of theflat wire 105 connected to the ASD 100. Alternatively, these electricalmeasurements may be taken by the various components of the ASD 100. Forexample, either the flat wire I/O interface 311 and/or the components ofthe ASD 100 may measure the voltage, current, impedance, resistance orany other electrical characteristic associated with the flat wire 105.For example, either the flat wire I/O interface 311 or the components ofthe ASD 100 may measure the current present on any of the conductors ofa flat wire 105 with any suitable current measuring device, such as acurrent transformer. As another example, the flat wire I/O interface 311or the components of the ASD 100 may measure the voltages present on anyof the conductors of a flat wire 105 with any suitable voltage measuringdevice, such as a signal conditioning circuit or a volt meter. Eachcomponent of the ASD 100 may include measurement devices associated withthat component or, alternatively, one component of the ASD 100 may makeuse of a measurement device used by another component of the ASD 100. Itwill be understood that the ASD 100 may also include a single set ofmeasurement devices in the flat wire I/O interface 311 that are used byall of the components of the ASD 100, as shown in FIG. 3.

Additionally, the flat wire I/O interface 311 or the components of theASD 100 may include excitation circuitry or devices that are capable ofcommunicating a signal onto one or more of the conductors of the flatwire 105. Excitation circuits or devices may be capable of communicatinga current signal onto one or more of the conductors or layers of theflat wire 105. Suitable excitation circuits or devices for communicatinga current signal onto one or more of the conductors of the flat wire 105include, but are not limited to, current transformers, current sources,isolators, multiplexers, and relays. As an alternative to, or inaddition to transmitting a current signal onto the flat wire 105,excitation circuits or devices may be capable of transmitting a voltagesignal onto one or more conductors or layers of the flat wire 105.Suitable excitation circuits or devices for transmitting a voltagesignal onto one or more conductors of the flat wire 105 include, but arenot limited to, voltage transformers, multiplexers, drivers, and voltagesources. Each component of the ASD 100 may include excitation circuitdevices associated with that component or, alternatively, one componentof the ASD 100 may make use of an excitation device used by anothercomponent of the ASD 100. The ASD 100 may also include a single set ofexcitation circuits or devices in the flat wire I/O interface 311 thatare used by all of the components of the ASD 100, as shown in FIG. 3. Asexplained in greater detail below, the excitation devices may be used inconjunction with the measurement devices to perform tests on the flatwire 105.

The reactive and proactive safety components of the ASD 100 may operateindependently of one another, or, alternatively, their operation may becontrolled by the control unit 312. In the illustrative embodiment ofFIG. 3 with a single set of measurement devices contained within a flatwire I/O interface 311, the individual safety components may receiveelectrical measurements from the flat wire I/O interface 311 or,alternatively, the individual safety components may receive electricalmeasurements from the flat wire I/O interface 311 through the controlunit 312 or through another safety component. Additionally, it will beappreciated that one or more of the various safety components of the ASD100 may share one or more circuit components.

According to an aspect of the invention, a ground fault circuitinterrupter (GFCI) safety component 315 may be associated with the ASD100, which will be referred to herein as a GFCI component 315. The GFCIcomponent 315 may detect ground faults in a flat wire 105 system. Aground fault is an unintentional electric path which diverts current toground. The GFCI safety component may be specially designed to accountfor the fact that it is being used in conjunction with flat wire 105, asdiscussed below. As previously mentioned, in connection with FIG. 2, aflat wire 105 will typically have one electrifiable or hot conductor 205and may have one or more return or neutral conductors 210, 215. The GFCIcomponent 315 may monitor the current differential between theelectrifiable conductor 205 and the one or more return conductors 210,215 of the flat wire 105. If the current flowing through theelectrifiable conductor 205 differs from the combined current flowingthrough any of the one or more return conductors 210, 215, then the GFCIcomponent 315 may cause the ASD 100 to open a relay 310, therebypreventing the further flow of electrical power onto the flat wire 105.For example, the GFCI component 315 may cause the ASD 100 to open therelay 310 if the current differential between the electrifiableconductor 205 and the combined current in any of the one or more returnconductors 210, 215 (or H-N) is approximately 5.5 milliamps or greater.It will also be understood by those of skill in the art that the GFCIcomponent 315 may be set to open the relay 310 of the ASD 100 based onany number or measured current differentials.

Additionally, the trip time of the GFCI component 315 or the time ittakes the GFCI component 315 to open a relay 310, may vary with thecurrent differential detected by the GFCI component 315. For example, aslower trip time may be associated with a smaller current differential,and a faster trip time may be associated with a higher currentdifferential. The trip time of the GFCI component 315 may be a linearfunction of the current differential detected by the GFCI component 315.Alternatively, the trip time of the GFCI component 315 may be anon-linear function of the current differential detected by the GFCIcomponent 315, such as that defined by UL943, a standard established byUnderwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL).

According to another aspect of the invention, an arc mitigation circuit(AMC) safety component 320 may be associated with the ASD 100, whichwill be referred to herein as an AMC component 320. The AMC component320 may detect an arcing condition that is present on the flat wire 105.An arcing condition may include a high power discharge of electricalenergy between two or more conductors. The arcing condition does notnecessarily need to exceed the normal maximum load limits of a componentof the flat wire system 101. The normal maximum load limit of a standardelectrical outlet, for example, is 120 volts at 15 amps, or 1800 watts.The electrical energy discharged by an arcing condition may or may notexceed 1800 watts. For conventional wiring, there is a wide array of arcfault current signatures, but the signatures are typically characterizedby spikes of current near the voltage peaks of an electrical signal asopposed to a sinusoidal signature. Arc faults or arcing faults onconventional wire are one of the major causes of fires attributed tohome electrical wiring as normal circuit breakers do not reliably detectand trip on arc faults. When unwanted arcing occurs, it may generatehigh localized or spot temperatures that can ignite nearby combustiblessuch as wood, paper and carpets.

An arcing condition on a flat wire 105 may be very different than anarcing condition on a conventional wire. Unlike convention wire, anarcing condition on a flat wire 105 may be a short duration flash whichmay be referred to as an arc flash. A typical flash, if not eliminated,may last from the time that electrification of the flat wire 105 isinitiated until the time that a wire fault is identified and the relay310 is opened. The over-current protection component 325 and the groundcurrent monitoring component 330 may be the primary safety componentsthat are responsible for removing power to the flat wire 105 due to apenetration or other type of wire fault resulting in abnormally high RMScurrents. In the case of arcing events that result from ohmic or higherresistance “shorts,” there may be an associated arc signature currentthat has a high peak-to-peak value, but an RMS value that does notexceed the standard current limit of 15 amps RMS. Because standard arcfaults are relatively slow phenomena, requiring several alternatingcurrent cycles to detect and respond to, they are different than the arcflashes that may occur on a flat wire 105. For flat wire 105, the AMCcomponent 320 and the other safety components of the ASD 100 may bedesigned to work as a system to mitigate arc flash events.

There are typically two types of arc flash events that may occur on aflat wire 105. The first type is possible during a live (electrified)penetration of the flat wire 105 by a penetrating object whereby, undercertain circumstances, a blow-by or escape of hot gases or particulatematter may occur around the perimeter of the penetrating object. Thesecond type of arc flash event is possible after a penetrating objecthas been removed from the flat wire 105. If the flat wire 105 iselectrified again, an arc flash may occur prior to other safetycomponents of the ASD 100 identifying a wire fault. From the time thatthe flat wire 105 is electrified until the ASD 100 or other safetydevice reacts to de-energize the flat wire 105 once again, an arc flashis possible whereby hot gases and particulate matter are expelled fromthe orifice left by the removed object.

The AMC component 320 may be designed to reduce the amount of energy andtemperature of the expelled gases and particulate matter in theaforementioned types of arc flash events. The first and most directapproach centers on current signature analysis during the arc flashevents. However, the construction and materials used in the flat wire105 itself may also have mitigating effect on arc flash events. The flatwire 105 may contains individual layers of insulated conductors whichcan be further bonded to form an essentially inseparable set of strata.This bonding technique tends to mitigate the arc flash events byenforcing lower impedance interlayer shorts. Accordingly, the safetycomponents of the ASD 100 may be capable of more easily detecting theseevents. Additionally, the load side wire integrity component discussedbelow with reference to FIG. 12 may allow potential arcing conditions tobe more easily recognized.

For arc signature detection of an arc flash, the AMC component 320 maybe operable to sense the current waveform on the electrifiable conductor205 via a suitable current detection device, such as a currenttransformer. The AMC component 320 may analyze the rate of change of thecurrent, the peak current, and the phasing of the peak current in orderto make a decision on the presence of an arcing event.

As with the GFCI component 315, the AMC component 320 may be designed totake the physical characteristics of flat wire 105 into account, asdiscussed below. The AMC component 320 may detects specific arcingconditions which may occur on the flat wire 105 that may be hazardous.The AMC component 320 may discriminate between unwanted arcingconditions and normal arcing conditions. A normal arcing condition maybe the switching on or off of a circuit or unplugging a device from anelectrical outlet. An unwanted arcing condition may be present on theflat wire 105 if there is a penetration, puncture, or flaw in theinsulation layers 230 between the electrifiable conductor 205 and one ofthe other conductors of the flat wire 105. If multiple layers ofinsulation are present between two conductors of the flat wire 105, suchas to envelope each conductor separately, an arc flash may occur if eachlayer of insulation has a flaw (e.g., hole) and the flaws are situatedin close proximity to one another. In other words, an arc flash mayoccur if the insulation layer flaws line up with one another or are inclose proximity to one another. An arc flash condition may also occur ifthe flat wire 105 is penetrated by a foreign object and the penetratingobject is removed from the flat wire 105. A situation might exist inwhich the conductors are no longer shorted together once the foreignobject has been removed, and an arc flash might occur if the flat wire105 is electrified.

The AMC component 320 uses current sensing circuitry to discriminatebetween normal and unwanted arcing conditions within the flat wire 105.The AMC component 320 may detect specific arc flash current signatureswhich are unique to flat wire 105. These flat wire 105 arc flash currentsignatures are often different than the arc fault current signatures ofconventional wire. Additionally, the AMC component 320 may be configuredto detect arcing conditions originating at a point in a wire that isbeyond the flat wire 105 termination at the destination module 120,including arc flashes in another flat wire 105 or arc faults in aconventional wire that is external to the flat electrical wire system101. Once an unwanted arcing condition is detected in the flat wire 105or any down-line load, a relay 310 is opened to de-energize the flatwire 105, thus reducing the potential of a fire or other hazardoussituation occurring.

A flat wire 105 arc flash signature may differ from the arc faultsignature of other forms of electrical wire due to the physicalconstruction of the flat wire 105 that includes stacked conductivelayers in close proximity to one another. Once an arc flash conditionbegins in the flat wire 105, typically at the initial point ofpenetration or damage to the flat wire 105, high temperature droplets ofcopper and carbonized debris may be ejected away from the penetrationsight. Although most of the copper and debris are ejected out of thedamaged site orifice of the flat wire 105, some may proceed transverselyinto the flat wire 105, thus increasing the radius of the damaged area.If this phenomena proceeds unchecked, it may build or avalanche intolarger areas with unique current signatures specific to the flat wire105.

It will be understood by those of skill in the art that a potentiallydangerous situation that may lead to an arc flash on the flat wire 105,for example, a wire fault on the flat wire 105, may be detected by oneor more of the other safety components of the ASD 100, as explained ingreater detail below. Accordingly, potentially dangerous situations thatmay lead to an arc flash may be detected prior to the formation of anarc flash on the flat wire 105.

According to another aspect of the invention, an over-current protectionsafety component 325 may be associated with the ASD 100, which will bereferred to herein as an over-current protection component 325. Theover-current protection component 325 may provide primary and/orsecondary over-current protection. If too much current is allowed toflow through a wire, the wire may overheat and there is a potential thata fire could be started in nearby combustibles such as wood, paper andcarpets. The over-current protection component 325 may provide secondaryover-current protection in addition to that provided by a standardcircuit breaker. Typically, circuit breakers are rated with a maximumcurrent that they can effectively handle in order to trip properly, anda circuit breaker may be ineffective if the current flowing through acircuit (which may be created by a short) is higher than the maximumrated current of the circuit breaker. If such a situation arises, theover-current protection component 325 of the ASD 100 may providesecondary over-current protection. Alternatively, the over-currentprotection component 325 may provide primary over-current protection ifthere is no circuit breaker connected to or associated with the lineside power supply 115 or if a connected circuit breaker is ineffective.For example, the over-current protection component 325 would provideprimary over-current protection if a homeowner closed a circuit in thecircuit breaker by placing a penny across the circuit.

The over-current protection component 325 of the ASD 100 may monitor thecurrent flowing through the electrifiable conductor 305 of the flat wire105. If the current flowing through the electrifiable conductor 305increases above a maximum threshold value, the relay 310 is opened tode-energize the flat wire 105. It will be understood by those ofordinary skill in the art that the maximum threshold current value maybe set at many different values. For instance, the over-currentprotection component 325 may cause the relay 310 to open if the currentin the electrifiable conductor 305 exceeds approximately 15 amps (for120 VAC applications). An over-current protection component 325 may alsoexamine the current flowing through any of the one or more returnconductors 210, 215 of an electrical flat wire 105 in a similar mannerto the way in which the electrifiable conductor 205 is monitored.

The over-current protection component 325 may utilize a variable scalealgorithm in its monitoring of the electrifiable conductor 205 current.Based on the level or amount of over-current present on theelectrifiable conductor 305, the over-current protection component 325may have a variable trip time, or time it takes to de-actuate or openthe relay 310. For example, if the maximum allowable current on theelectrifiable conductor is set at 15 amps and the over-currentprotection component 325 measures a 15.1 amp current on theelectrifiable conductor 205, the trip time of the over-currentprotection component 325 may be approximately one second. The trip timemay or may not be adjusted for the next zero crossing condition.Alternatively, if a current of 50 amps or more is detected on theelectrifiable conductor 205, the trip time of the over-currentprotection component 325 may be approximately an immediate trip time (noadded delay) or set for the next zero crossing condition. Having alonger trip time at lower over-current levels may serve to mitigatefalse tripping situations due to load inrush currents on the flat wire105. It will be understood by those of skill in the art that manydifferent smart algorithms with a wide array of trip times may be usedin conjunction with the over-current protection component 325 of theinvention. Additionally, the trip time of the over-current protectioncomponent 325 may be a linear function of the amount of over-currentdetected by the over-current protection component 325. Alternatively,the trip time of the over-current protection component 325 may be anon-linear function of the amount of over-current detected by theover-current protection component 325.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the ASD 100 mayinclude a ground current monitoring safety component 330 to performground current monitoring, which will be referred to herein as a groundcurrent monitoring component 330. The ground current monitoringcomponent may be utilized as either a reactive component or inconjunction with the proactive components of the ASD 100. In the flatwire design utilized herein for purposes of disclosing certainembodiments of the invention, there should not be any significantcurrent on a grounding conductor 220, 225 of any flat wire 105 connectedto the ASD 100. If a significant current is present on a groundingconductor 220, 225 of the flat wire 105 connected to the ASD 100, ahazardous condition may exist. For example, there may be a short in theflat wire 105. Alternatively, a situation might exist in whichelectrical power is being supplied to a load and some of that electricalpower is backfeeding across the flat wire 105 through, for example, oneof the grounding conductors 220, 225, to the source module 110. Such asituation might arise if a faulty or malfunctioning appliance is beingsupplied power by the flat wire 105 or if an external source of power ismiswired into the flat wire system 101 via the load side 125.

The ground current monitoring component 330 monitors the current flowingthrough one or more of the grounding conductors 220, 225 of a flat wire105 connected to the ASD 100. If the current increases above apredetermined maximum threshold value, then the relay 310 may be openedto de-energize the flat wire 105. It will be understood by those ofordinary skill in the art that the maximum threshold current value maybe set at many different values. For instance, the ground currentmonitoring component 330 may open the relay 310 if the current in any ofthe ground conductors exceeds approximately 3.0 milliamps.

According to an aspect of the invention, the ASD 100 may include a lineside wire integrity (or miswire) safety component 335, also referred toherein as a Source Wire Integrity (SWI) component 335. The SWI component335 may be a proactive safety device capable of detecting line sidefaults or defects in a flat wire system 101 prior to the full powerelectrification of the flat wire 105. Before the relay 310 of the ASD100 is closed, thereby allowing the flat wire 105 to be electrified, theSWI component 335 may test the flat wire system 101 on the line side anddetermine whether the line side power source 115 has been properlyterminated on the line side. For purposes of this disclosure, the termline side may refer to a power line that is input into the ASD 100. Itwill be understood that the line side may be a conventional wire, a flatwire, an electrical outlet, or another input to the ASD 100.

The SWI component 335 may detect line side miswiring of the line sidepower source 115, which may be conventional wiring or flat wire, via theline side input 305. The line side power source 115 may also be anelectrical outlet that the ASD 100 is connected to or plugged into. Itwill be appreciated that it is a common mistake for an electrical outletto be miswired, even by an experienced electrician. A line side miswiremay include an open conductor of the line side power source 115, whichmay occur when a conductor of the line side power source 115 is notconnected to the line side input 305 of the ASD 100. Alternatively, aline side miswire may occur when one or more conductors of the line sidepower source 115 are improperly connected to the line side input 305 ofthe ASD 100, such as when two conductors are reversed in theirconnection to the line side input 305. For example, if the line sidepower source 115 is a conventional electric wire, the SWI component 335may detect a situation in which the line side electrifiable or hotconductor and the line side return or neutral conductor have beenswitched when connected to the line side input 305. As another example,if the line side power source 115 is an electrical flat wire 105, theSWI component 335 may detect a situation in which the line sideelectrifiable conductor 205 and one of the line side return conductors210 have been switched when connected to the line side input 305.

The SWI component 335 may contain line side miswire detection circuitrythat uses one or more test signals to locate and detect miswireconditions. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an example line side wireintegrity component 335 that may be incorporated into an ASD 100according to the invention. A line side power source 115 connected tothe line side input 305 of the ASD 100 may include an electrifiable (orhot) conductor 505, a return (or neutral) conductor 510, and a groundingconductor 515. It will be understood that the line side input 305 mayinclude more than three conductors. For example, if the line side input305 is an electrical flat wire, then the line side input 305 may includefive conductors.

The SWI component 335 may include three current sensors 520, 525, 530and a signal conditioning circuit 535. It will be appreciated that anynumber of current sensors and/or signal conditioning circuits may beassociated with the SWI component 335. The SWI component 335 mayoptionally include an SWI relay driver 540 and an SWI relay 545. Thesignal conditioning circuit 535 of the SWI component 335 may be incommunication with the control unit 312 of the ASD 100 via a controlunit communications link 550 or, alternatively, the signal conditioningcircuit 535 may be incorporated into the control unit 312. The signalconditioning circuit 535, either on its own or in combination with thecontrol unit 312, may allow a small test current to be transmitted fromthe line side power source 115 in order to determine whether any lineside miswires are present.

The signal conditioning circuit 535 may be any appropriate signalconditioning circuit, and the signal conditioning circuit 535 mayinclude any number of circuit components. The signal conditioningcircuit 535 may operate to limit the value of the currents that aredetected on the line side prior to communicating those values to thecontrol unit 312 for analysis. Accordingly, the control unit 312 mayreceive a current measurement from each of the current sensors 520, 525,530, and the control unit 312 may utilize these measurements todetermine whether the line side is wired correctly. The signalconditioning circuit 535 may locate the electrifiable or hot conductor505 of the line side power source 115, regardless of where it isconnected to the line side input 305, and leak a small test current outof the electrifiable conductor 505. The test signal may be a voltage orcurrent test signal, such as a current test signal that is underapproximately one milliamp. If there is no electrifiable conductor 505connected to the line side input 305, then the SWI component 335 will beunable to locate the electrifiable conductor 505 to obtain a testsignal. In such a situation, the signal conditioning circuit 535 of theSWI component 335 and/or the control unit 312 may determine that theelectrifiable conductor 505 is open on the line side. If, however, anelectrifiable conductor 505 is connected to the line side input 305, thesignal conditioning circuit 535 may permit the test signal to leak outof the electrifiable conductor 505. The signal conditioning circuit 535may then monitor the currents detected by the current sensors 520, 525,530 to determine whether or not any line side miswires are present. Ahot-neutral (“H-N”) current sensor 520 may be used to detect a currentbetween the electrifiable (or hot) conductor 505 and the return (orneutral) conductor 510. A hot-ground (“H-G”) current sensor 525 may beused to detect a current between the electrifiable conductor 505 and thegrounding conductor 515. A neutral-ground (“N-G”) current sensor 520 maybe used to detect a current between the return conductor 510 and thegrounding conductor 515. It will be understood by those of skill in theart that a test current applied to a line side conductor may be limitedby appropriate electrical standards and codes. For example, a testcurrent applied to a grounding conductor of a line side power source 115may be limited to an upper bound of approximately 0.5 milliamps bystandards established by Underwriters Laboratory, Inc.

If the line side is wired correctly, a current between the electrifiableconductor 505 and the return conductor 510 will be detected by the H-Ncurrent sensor 520, a current between the electrifiable conductor 505and the grounding conductor 515 will be detected by the H-G currentsensor 525, and no current between the return conductor 510 and thegrounding conductor 515 will be detected by the N-G current sensor 530.If there is a line side miswire, a different set of current measurementsthan those discussed above for a properly wired line side may be made bythe current sensors 520, 525, 530, and the SWI component 335 may detectthe miswire. In addition to an open electrifiable conductor 505, The SWIcomponent 335 may detect other open conductors on the line side. Forexample, if the return conductor 510 is open on the line side, nocurrent will be detected between the electrifiable conductor 505 and thereturn conductor 510 by the H-N current sensor 525. As another example,if the ground conductor 515 is open on the line side, no current will bedetected between the electrifiable conductor 505 and the groundingconductor 515 by the H-G current sensor 525.

The SWI component 335 may also detect conductors that have been miswiredor switched when connected to the line side input 305. For example, ifthe electrifiable conductor 505 and the return conductor 510 have beenswitched when connected to the line side input 305, the current detectedby the H-N current sensor 520 will be reversed because the current willbe flowing across the H-N current sensor 520 from the oppositedirection. Additionally, no current will be detected by the H-G currentsensor 525 and a current will be detected by the N-G current sensor 530.If the electrifiable conductor 505 and the grounding conductor 515 havebeen switched when connected to the line side input 305, the currentdetected by the H-G current sensor 525 will be reversed because thecurrent will be flowing across the H-G current sensor 525 from theopposite direction. Additionally, no current will be detected by the H-Ncurrent sensor 520 and a current will be detected by the N-G currentsensor 530. It will be understood by those of skill in the art that anyother miswire on the line side that produces a different set of currentsacross the current sensors 520, 525, 535 other than the set of currentsrepresentative of a properly wired line side will also be detected bythe SWI component 335.

If the SWI component 335 detects a miswire on the line side, then therelay 310 of the ASD 100 may be maintained in its open position toprevent electrification of the flat wire 105. If no miswire is detectedby the SWI component 335, then the relay 310 may be closed, to allowelectrification of the flat wire 105. Alternatively, if the SWIcomponent 335 detects a miswire on the line side, then the SWI relay 545may be maintained in its open position to prevent the flow of electricalpower from the line side input 305 to the source module 110 via a sourcemodule communications link 555. The source module communications link555 may be any appropriate communication link, such as a wiredconnection. If no miswire is detected by the SWI component 335, then theSWI relay driver 540 may be used to close the SWI relay 545 and allowelectrical power to flow from the line side input 305 to the sourcemodule 110. The SWI component 335 may perform tests on the line side ofthe flat wire system 101 during a short time interval after power isapplied to the line side power source 115. For example, the SWIcomponent 335 may perform the tests on the line side of the flat wiresystem 101 in no more than approximately 500 milliseconds from the pointin time at which power is applied to the line side power source 115.Additionally, a SWI component flag or state may be set in the ASD 100 toindicate that no miswires were detected by the SWI component 335. TheSWI component flag may be, for example, stored in the memory 405 of thecontrol unit 312 and/or in one or more other memories associated withthe control unit 312 and/or the SWI component 335. The SWI componentflag or state may be used by the ASD 100 in conjunction with the resultsof other tests performed by the ASD 100 in order to determine whether ornot the relay 310 of the ASD 100 may be closed. It will be appreciatedthat other data associated with the SWI component 335 and/or themeasurements taken in accordance with the operation of the SWI component335 may be stored in one or more appropriate memories, for example, thememory 405 of the control unit 312.

Although the SWI component 335 is described above as leaking a currentsignal from the electrifiable conductor 505 of the line side powersource 115 and then testing the line side for current signals, it willbe appreciated that other types of signals, such as a voltage signal maybe leaked from the line side power source 115. Additionally, if avoltage signal is leaked from the line side power source 115, then theSWI component 335 may detect voltage signals on the line side in orderto identify or locate line side miswires.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, the SWI component 335 may include atleast one fuse 560 that is operable to act as a fail safe if too muchcurrent flows into the ASD 100 from the line side power source 115.Although the fuse 560 is illustrated in FIG. 5 as being a part of theSWI component 335, it will be appreciated that a fuse may alternativelyor additionally be included in other components of the ASD 100.Additionally, it will be understood that many different types of fusesmay be utilized by the ASD 100, such as a standard 50 amp fuse. If a 50amp fuse is utilized, the fuse 560 may be blown if a current ofapproximately 50 amps or more flows into the ASD 100 from the line sidepower source 115. Once the fuse 560 has been blown, an electrical powersignal may no longer be permitted to flow into the ASD 100 from the lineside power source 115.

FIG. 6 is an example flowchart of the operation of the SWI component335, according to an illustrative embodiment of one aspect of theinvention. If power is applied to the SWI component 335 at block 605,then the SWI component 335 may check a line side power source 115connected to the line side input 305 for a line side miswire. Forexample, at block 610, the SWI component 335 may check the line sidepower source 115 for an open electrifiable (or hot) conductor 505. If anopen electrifiable conductor 505 is detected, then the SWI component 335may go to block 640 and prevent the electrification of the flat wire 105by preventing the relay 310 of the ASD 100 from being closed. If an openline side power source electrifiable conductor 505 is not detected atblock 610, then the SWI component 335 may go to block 615 and check theline side power source 115 for an open return (or neutral) conductor510. If an open line side power source return conductor 510 is detectedat block 615, then the SWI component 335 may go to block 640 and preventthe relay 310 of the ASD 100 from being closed. If no open line sidepower source return conductor 510 is detected at block 615, then the SWIcomponent 335 may go to block 620 and check the line side power source115 for an open grounding conductor 515. If an open line side powersource grounding conductor 515 is detected at block 620, then the SWIcomponent 335 may go to block 640 and prevent the relay 310 of the ASD100 from being closed. If no open line side power source groundingconductor 515 is detected at block 620, then the SWI component 335 maygo to block 625. At block 625, the SWI component 335 may check the lineside power source 115 for a reversed electrifiable conductor 505 andreturn conductor 510. If the line side power source electrifiableconductor 505 has been reversed with the line side power source returnconductor 510 at the line side input 305, then the SWI component 335 maygo to block 640 and prevent the relay 310 of the ASD 100 from beingclosed. If, however, no reversed line side power source electrifiableconductor 505 and return conductor 510 is detected at block 625, thenthe SWI component 335 may go to block 630. At block 630, the SWIcomponent 335 may check the line side power source 115 for a reversedelectrifiable conductor 505 and grounding conductor 515. If theelectrifiable conductor 505 has been reversed with the groundingconductor 515 at the line side input 305, then the SWI component 335 maygo to block 640 and prevent the relay 310 of the ASD 100 from beingclosed. If, however, no line side power source reversed electrifiableconductor 505 and grounding conductor 515 is detected at block 630, thenthe SWI component 335 may go to block 645 and allow the relay 310 of theSWI component 335 to be closed.

It will be understood by those of skill in the art that the testsperformed by the SWI component 335 do not necessarily have to beperformed in the order set forth in the logic of FIG. 5, but instead maybe performed in any suitable order. It also will be understood that theSWI component 335 does not have to conduct each test set forth in FIG.5, but instead may conduct less than all of the tests set forth in FIG.5. If any test results in the execution of block 540, then the SWIcomponent 335 may still perform the remaining tests and may record theoutcome of each test, or at least the ones that result in a positivemiswire indication. Additionally, if a miswire is detected by the SWIcomponent 335, an indicator may be stored by the SWI component 335 or bythe control unit 312, and the indicator may include information as towhich test(s) resulted in the detection of a miswire. This indicator mayalso be communicated by the ASD 100 to another device such as a secondASD 100, a central monitoring device, or a computer. The SWI component335 and/or the control unit 312 may also be associated with one or morememory devices, for example, the memory 405 of the control unit 312,that are operable to store a variety of indicators and/or measurementsdata associated with the operation of the SWI component 335.

According to another aspect of the invention, the ASD 100 may include aload side or destination integrity (or load side miswire or short/faultdetection) component 340, which will be referred to herein as adestination wire integrity (DWI) component 340. The DWI component 340may be a proactive safety device capable of detecting faults or defectsin the flat wire 105 or miswires on the load side prior to the fullpower electrification of the flat wire 105. For purposes of thisdisclosure, the term load side may be utilized to refer to a flat wire105 or other wire connected between the ASD 100 and a downstreamdestination device 117 and/or a downstream ASD 100. Before the relay 310of the ASD 100 is closed, thereby allowing the flat wire 105 to beelectrified, the DWI component 340 may test the flat wire 105 on theload side and determine whether the flat wire 105 is free of faults,defects, and/or miswires. The DWI component 340 may test the flat wire105 by applying either a voltage or a current test signal to one or moreof the conductors of the flat wire 105 and measuring a response on theother conductors of the flat wire 105, as explained in greater detailbelow. The DWI component 340 may use one or both of a voltage-based testsystem and a current-based test system to check the flat wire 105 formiswires and wire faults, as described in greater detail below.

According to one aspect of the invention, the DWI component 340 maydetect load side miswiring of the flat wire 105. A load side miswire mayinclude an open conductor of the flat wire 105, which may occur when aconductor of the flat wire 105 is not connected to the destinationmodule 120 or the source module 110. In addition, a load side miswiremay include conductors of the flat wire 105 that are improperlyconnected to the destination module 120, such as two conductors that arereversed in their connection to the destination module 120. For example,the DWI component 340 may detect a situation in which the electrifiableconductor 205 and one of the return conductors 210 have been switchedwhen connected to the destination module 120. If the DWI component 340detects a miswire on the load side, then the relay 310 is maintained inits open position to prevent electrification of the flat wire 105.

According to another aspect of the invention, the ASD 100 may detectpotentially hazardous conditions that may exist in association with aflat wire 105. One hazardous situation of particular importance is thepenetration of a flat wire 105 that can lead to an inter-layer short inthe flat wire 105. An inter-layer short occurs when a conductor in theflat wire 105 is placed in contact with one or more other conductors inthe flat wire 105. Inter-layer shorts typically occur when an object,and particularly a metal object, penetrates the flat wire 105. Varioustypes of penetrations of the flat wire 105 have been considered andanalyzed. With respect to a flat wire 105 installed on a surface such asa wall or ceiling, typical penetration may be caused by nails, screws,push-pins, thumbtacks, staples, knife cuts, or saw cuts. Each type ofpenetration offers a different challenge to overcome fire and shockhazards. Penetrations may occur while the flat wire 105 is electrifiedor prior to its electrification. Penetrating objects may or may not bepresent during the initial electrification of a flat wire 105. Inaddition to inter-layer shorts, penetrations of the flat wire may leadto arc flashes or other arcing conditions which may be detected by theAMC safety component of the ASD 100.

Low impedance inter-layer shorts are typically needed in order to causea primary safety device such as a circuit breaker to trip. These moredesirable low impedance shorts, sometimes referred to as dead or goodshorts, typically occur during the penetration of a flat wire 105 orafter the penetration of a flat wire 105 when the penetrating object isstill embedded in the flat wire 105. Once the penetrating object isremoved from the flat wire 105, there may no longer be a penetratingmetal object to provide a parallel path through which current can flow,thereby removing the good inter-layer short. Additionally, thepenetrating object no longer adds a compressive force that serves topress the conductors of the flat wire 105 together. This lack ofcompressive force may contribute to the failure to maintain a goodquality inter-layer short. After the removal of the penetrating object,therefore, the inter-layer shorts are typically not low impedanceinter-layer shorts, which makes a successful trip of a primary safetydevice such as a circuit breaker less likely.

The DWI component 340 of the ASD 100 may aid in the detection of theseinter-layer shorts, as explained in greater detail below. The DWIcomponent 340 may be a proactive safety device capable of detectingfaults or defects in a flat wire 105 prior to the full powerelectrification of the flat wire 105. Alternatively, as explained ingreater detail below with reference to FIG. 11, the DWI component 340may include a combination of proactive and reactive components. If aproactive device is utilized, then prior to the relay 310 being closed,the DWI component 340 checks for inter-layer shorts in the flat wire105, which may have been caused by a penetration of the flat wire 105.The DWI component 340 may detect both low impedance inter-layer shorts(e.g., dead or good shorts) and high impedance inter-layer shorts in theflat wire 105. If an inter-layer short is detected, then the DWIcomponent 340 or the control unit 312 may open the relay 310 and preventelectrification of the flat wire 105. In a DWI component 340 thatincludes both proactive and reactive components, the DWI component 340may detect shorts and/or wire faults (and miswires) by electrifying oneor more conductors of the flat wire 105 and monitoring one or more ofthe conductors of the flat wire 105 for a return signal.

In both a voltage-based and current-based method of testing, the DWIcomponent 340 may apply or communicate a test signal onto one or moreconductors or layers of the flat wire 105 and test for a return signalon one or more of the other conductors or layers of the flat wire 105.The two return conductors 210, 215 may form a return conductor loop andthe two grounding conductors 220, 225 may form a grounding conductorloop. A loop may occur when a signal travels from the ASD 100 throughthe flat wire 105 via one conductor, to the destination module 120 andthen back via another conductor of the flat wire 105 to the ASD 100. Forexample, a signal may travel through the flat wire 105 via a firstreturn conductor 210, through the destination module 120, and backthrough the flat wire 105 via the second return conductor 215. The DWIcomponent 340 may test the return conductor loop and the groundingconductor loop with independent test signals. Alternatively, the DWIcomponent 340 may test the return conductor loop and the groundingconductor loop with a single test signal. If a single test signal isused to test the return and grounding conductor loops, alternatingperiods of the test signal may be used to test the return and groundingconductor loops independently. Additionally, if both the return andgrounding conductor loops are determined to be properly terminated bythe DWI component 340, the DWI component 340 may presume that theelectrifiable conductor 205 of the flat wire 105 is properly terminatedat the destination module 120. Alternatively, the DWI component 340 mayperform additional tests on the electrifiable conductor 205 in order todetermine whether or not the electrifiable conductor 205 is terminatedproperly. For example, the DWI component 340 may test the electrifiableconductor 205 to determine whether or not the electrifiable conductor205 is shorted to one or more of the return conductors 210, 215 or thegrounding conductors 220, 225.

FIG. 7 is an example flowchart of the general operation of a DWIcomponent 340, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.The methodology of FIG. 7 may be implemented by the DWI component 340for either a voltage-based test system or a current-based test system.If power is applied to the DWI component 340 at block 705, then the DWIcomponent 340 may go to block 710. At block 710, the DWI component 340may test the grounding conductor loop of the flat wire 105. The DWIcomponent 340 may determine whether or not the grounding conductor loophas been terminated properly and whether or not there is a fault in thegrounding conductors 220, 225 at block 715. If the grounding conductorloop is determined not to be properly terminated or a fault is found inone of the grounding conductors 220, 225, then, the DWI component 340may go to block 740 and prevent the relay 310 from being closed toprevent electrification of the flat wire 105. If, however, the groundingconductor loop is determined to be properly terminated and no faults arefound in the grounding conductors 220, 225 at block 715, then the DWIcomponent 340 may go to block 720. At block 720, the DWI component 340may test the return conductor loop of the flat wire 105. The DWIcomponent 340 may determine whether or not the return conductor loop hasbeen terminated properly and whether or not there is a fault in thereturn conductors 210, 215 at block 725. If the return conductor loop isdetermined not to be properly terminated or a fault is detected in oneof the return conductors 210, 215, then the DWI component 340 may go toblock 740 and prevent the relay 310 from being closed to preventelectrification of the flat wire 105. If, however, the return conductorloop is determined to be properly terminated and no wire faults arefound in the return conductors 210, 215 at block 725, then the DWIcomponent 340 may go to block 730. At block 730, the DWI component 340may test the electrifiable conductor 205 in order to determine whetheror not it is properly terminated and whether or not there are any wirefaults in the electrifiable conductor 205. If, at block 735, it isdetermined that the electrifiable conductor 205 is not properlyterminated or a wire fault is detected on the electrifiable conductor205, then the DWI component 340 may go to block 740 and prevent therelay 310 from being closed. If, however, the electrifiable conductor205 is determined to be properly terminated and no wire faults aredetected on the electrifiable conductor 205 at block 735, then the DWIcomponent 340 may go to block 745 and allow the relay 310 to be closed.Alternatively, a DWI component flag may be set and stored by the controlunit 312, and the flag may be used by the ASD 100 in conjunction withother tests to determine whether or not the relay 310 may be closed.

It also will be understood by those of skill in the art that the testsperformed by the DWI component 340 do not necessarily have to beperformed in the order set forth in the logic of FIG. 7, but instead maybe performed in any suitable order. As previously mentioned, some of thetests set forth in FIG. 7 may be performed in parallel with one another.It also will be understood that the DWI component 340 does not have toconduct each test set forth in FIG. 7, but instead may conduct less thanall of the tests set forth in FIG. 7. If any test results in theexecution of block 740, then the DWI component 340 may still perform theremaining tests and may record the outcome of each test, or at least theones that result in a positive miswire indication. Additionally, if amiswire is detected by the DWI component 340, an indicator may be storedby the DWI component 340 or by the control unit 312, and the indicatormay include information as to which test(s) resulted in the detection ofa miswire. This indicator may then be transmitted by the ASD 100 toanother device such as a second ASD 100, a central monitoring device, ora computer. The DWI component 340 and/or the control unit 312 may beassociated with one or more memory devices, for example, the memory 405of the control unit 312, operable to store a variety of indicatorsand/or measurements data associated with the operation of the DWIcomponent 340.

FIG. 8 is a timing diagram of test signals that may be applied by a DWIcomponent 340, according to an illustrative embodiment of one aspect ofthe invention. As mentioned earlier, the return conductor loop andgrounding conductor loop may be tested at alternating periods 805 and810 of the test signal in order to isolate the loop that is beingtested. According to an aspect of the invention, the signal used todrive the return and grounding conductor loops may be any signal with analternating period, such as a 2400 Hertz (Hz) square wave signal. Thesignal may be generated by a microcontroller, clocking circuit, or othersignal generation device and communicated onto the two loops of the flatwire 105, as explained in greater detail below. The signal may be passedthrough a low pass filter before being communicated onto one or more ofthe conductors of the flat wire 105 to remove any unwanted noise and/orharmonics. Tests on both the return conductor loop and ground conductorloop may be performed with the same test signal and, if it is determinedthat both loops are properly terminated and no faults are detected onthe flat wire 105, then the relay 310 of the ASD 100 may be closed inorder to allow the flat wire 105 to be electrified. In addition, a flagor state may be set in the ASD 100 to indicate whether the conductorloops are terminated properly. A conductor loops termination flag may beused in conjunction with the results of other tests performed by the ASD100 in order to determine whether or not the relay 310 of the ASD 100may be closed. The tests on both loops may be conducted by the DWIcomponent 340 within a first time of approximately 300 milliseconds orless 815 and then the decision of whether or not to close the relay 310may be made by a second time 820. The second time 820 may be less thanapproximately 375 milliseconds. It will be appreciated that the timingset forth in FIG. 8 is merely an example timing and that a variety oftiming goals or benchmarks may be utilized in accordance withembodiments of the invention.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the flat wire 105 may betested by the DWI component 340 by electrifying one or more conductorsof the flat wire 105 and testing one or more of the conductors of theflat wire 105 for a return signal. For example, as explained in greaterdetail below with reference to FIG. 11, one or more of the returnconductors 210, 215 may be electrified and one or more of the conductorsof the flat wire 105 may be monitored or tested for a return signal.Miswires and/or wire faults may be identified based at least in part onone or more return signals. It will be appreciated that a similar methodmay be conducted by electrifying one or more of the grounding conductors220, 225 and testing one or more of the conductors of the flat wire 105for a return signal. It will be appreciated that the one or moreconductors that are electrified for testing may be electrified for anyperiod of time in order to conduct the testing.

As another example, the electrifiable conductor 205 of the flat wire 105may be electrified for a predetermined period of time, and one or moreconductors of the flat wire 105 may be monitored for miswire and/or wirefaults. For example, the relay 310 may be closed at one zero crossingand then opened at the next zero crossing, thereby permitting one halfcycle of an electrical power signal from the line side power source 115to be communicated onto the flat wire 105. One or more conductors of theflat wire 105 may then be monitored for return signals that indicate thepresence of miswires and/or wire faults. For example, if a return signalis detected on one or more of the grounding conductors 220, 225, amiswire or inter-layer short may be present on the flat wire 105. If amiswire or inter-layer short is identified, then the DWI component 340and/or the control unit 312 may prevent the further electrification ofthe flat wire 105 by maintaining the relay 310 in its opened position.It will be appreciated that the testing described above may be conductedat any time by the DWI component 340, such as during the initialelectrification of the flat wire 105 following installation or a resetcondition of the ASD 100. It will further be appreciated that thepredetermined period of time that the flat wire 105 is electrified fortesting may be virtually any predetermined period of time and that ahalf cycle of an electrical power signal is merely discussed as anexample period of time.

Additionally, the tests performed by the DWI component 340 may becontained between the source module 110 and the destination module 120of the flat wire system 101. Accordingly, a current or voltage is notallowed to pass either to the line side source 115 or to the load sidedestination 125.

The DWI component 340 may use a voltage-based method to test the flatwire 105 for miswires and wire faults on the load side. Thevoltage-based method directly applies a voltage test signal to selectedconductors or layers (stimulated layers) of the flat wire 105 whilemeasuring voltages on the remaining conductors or layers (non-stimulatedlayers). Flat wire faults, or unwanted conductance between theconductors in the form of low or high impedance shorts, may beidentified by detecting unexpected voltage present on the non-stimulatedconductors or layers.

FIG. 9A is a schematic diagram of a voltage-based DWI component 340 thatmay be incorporated into an ASD 100 according to one aspect of theinvention. As a preliminary matter, it may be noted that FIG. 9A depictsa different source device 103 than that shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 9A, theline side power source 115 is incorporated into the source device 103.Such a situation might occur, for example, if the source device 103includes a standard electrical plug that may be plugged into anelectrical outlet.

As shown in FIG. 9A, The voltage-based DWI component 340 may include asource/sense circuit 900, an electrifiable (or hot) conductor connection901, a return conductor connection 902, a grounding conductor connection903, and one or more test signal relays 904. The source/sense circuit900 may be configured to transmit a voltage test signal onto one of theconductors of the flat wire 105 and then monitor the conductors of theflat wire 105 for a return voltage. It will be understood that thesource/sense circuit 900 may test more than one conductor of the flatwire 105 simultaneously be using alternating periods of the same testsignal, as explained in greater detail above with reference to FIG. 8.The source/sense circuit 900 may transmit a voltage test signal onto theelectrifiable conductor 205 and/or monitor the electrifiable conductor205 via the electrifiable conductor connection 901. Similarly, thesource/sense circuit 900 may transmit a voltage test signal onto one ormore of the return conductors 210, 215 and/or monitor one or more of thereturn conductors 210, 215 via the return conductor connection 902.Additionally, the source/sense circuit 900 may transmit a voltage testsignal onto one or more of the grounding conductors 220, 225 and/ormonitor one or more of the return conductors 220, 225 via the groundingconductor connection 902.

The voltage-based test signal transmitted by the source/sense circuit900 may be a low voltage signal. The voltage-based test signal may be,for example, at a voltage of approximately 5 volts or at a voltage ofapproximately 12 volts, although it will be understood that othervoltage levels may be used for the test signal. As a safety precaution,the maximum amplitude of the voltage-based test signal may be limited toapproximately 30 volts, although it will be understood that a testsignal with an amplitude of greater than 30 volts may be used inconjunction with embodiments of the invention. Additionally, thevoltage-based test signal may be derived from the signal coming into theASD 100 from the line side power source 115. The source/sense circuit900 may receive a voltage signal from the line side power source 115 andstep that signal down to a low voltage signal that may be used ormodified to perform tests on the flat wire 105. For example, thesource/sense circuit 900 may receive a voltage signal of approximately110-130 V or approximately 220-250 V and step that voltage signal downto a low voltage signal for testing the flat wire 105. The voltage maybe stepped down using a step down transformer, capacitor, or any othersuitable device for decreasing the amplitude of a voltage signal, aswill be understood by those of skill in the art. It will also beunderstood that the source/sense circuit 900 may constitute an isolatedpower source when applying a test signal to the flat wire 105.

A voltage test relay 904 may be used by the DWI component 340 to ensurethat the flat wire cannot be fully electrified while it is being testedby the DWI component 340. As shown in FIG. 9A, the voltage test relay904 may be a double-pole single throw relay, although it will beunderstood that other types of relays or combinations of relays may beused in accordance with embodiments of the invention. If the voltagetest relay 904 is in a closed position, then electrical power may beallowed to flow from the line side power source 115 through the ASD 100and onto the flat wire 105. If, however, the voltage test relay 904 isin a test position (or opened position), then electrical power will notbe permitted to flow from the line side power source 115 through the ASD100 and onto the flat wire 105. Instead, the voltage-based test signalwill be allowed to flow from the source/sense circuit 900 onto the flatwire 105. It will be understood by those of skill in the art that thevoltage test relay 904 may be the same circuit as that used for the mainor common relay 310, as shown in FIG. 9A. Alternatively, the voltagetest relay 904 may be one or more separate relays used in conjunctionwith the DWI component 340.

When the voltage test relay 904 is maintained in a test position, thesource/sense circuit 900 may transmit or communicate a voltage-basedtest signal onto one or more of the conductors of the flat wire 105while monitoring the conductors of the flat wire 105 for a returnvoltage. For example, the source/sense circuit 900 may communicate avoltage-based test signal onto the electrifiable conductor 205 of theflat wire 105 via the electrifiable conductor connection 901. Thesource/sense circuit 900 may then monitor the conductors of the flatwire 105 for a voltage signal to determine whether there are anyinter-layer or termination shorts or faults present on the flat wire105. If a voltage signal is detected by either the return conductorconnection 902 or the grounding conductor connection 903, thesource/sense circuit 900 (or the control unit 312 in communication withthe source/sense circuit 900) may determine that an inter-layer ortermination short is present on the flat wire 105 between theelectrifiable conductor 205 and one of the other conductors of the flatwire 105. Similarly, the source/sense circuit 900 may communicate avoltage-based test signal onto the return conductors 210, 215 of theflat wire 105 via the return conductor connection 902 and then monitorthe conductors of the flat wire 105 for a voltage signal to determinewhether there are any inter-layer or termination shorts between one ormore of the return conductors 210, 215 and one or more of the otherconductors of the flat wire 105. If a voltage signal is detected byeither the electrifiable conductor connection 901 or the groundingconductor connection 903, it may be determined that an inter-layer ortermination short is present on the flat wire 105. The same method maybe used to test the grounding conductors 220, 225 of the flat wire 105.The source/sense circuit 900 may communicate a voltage-based test signalonto the grounding conductors 220, 225 of the flat wire 105 via thegrounding conductor connection 903 and then monitor the conductors ofthe flat wire 105 for a voltage signal to determine whether there areany inter-layer or termination shorts between one or more of thegrounding conductors 220, 225 and one or more of the other conductors ofthe flat wire 105. If a voltage signal is detected by either theelectrifiable conductor connection 901 or the return conductorconnection 902, it may be determined that an inter-layer or terminationshort is present on the flat wire 105.

As shown in FIG. 9A, a test signal may be applied to either both returnconductors 210, 215 or both grounding conductors 220, 225 at the sametime by the source/sense circuit 900. It will, however, be understood bythose of skill in the art that a test signal may be individually appliedto a single conductor of the flat wire 105. For example, two returnconductor connections may be included to individually apply a testsignal to and monitor each of the return conductors 210, 225 of the flatwire. When determining whether or not inter-layer shorts are present onthe flat wire 105, it is not necessary to individually test and monitoreach of the return conductors 210, 215 or each of the groundingconductors 220, 225 of the flat wire because a voltage-based test signalapplied to one conductor in a loop will be transmitted through thedestination module 120 and back to the DWI component 340 in the sourcedevice 103 via the associated other conductor in the loop. On the loadside, the return signal may be transmitted through only the destinationmodule 120 or, alternatively, the return signal may be transmittedthrough both the destination module 120 and any load side destination125 connected to the flat wire system 101.

Limits may be placed on the detectable inter-layer impedance rangebetween two conductors of the flat wire 105. The detectable inter-layerimpedance range between the return conductors 210, 215 and electrifiableconductor 205 may be limited by the possible presence of real loadsconnected on the load side 125 of the flat wire 105. An example of sucha load would be a hair dryer plugged into an electrical outlet. Realloads connected on the load side 125 may create an impedance on the flatwire 105 as low as 8-10 ohms: therefore, an inter-layer impedance checkbetween the electrifiable 205 and return conductors 210, 215 may belimited at lower than 8-10 ohms or at approximately less than 1 ohm. Forexample, if a high impedance inter-layer short is 190 ohms and the realload is 10 ohms, the resulting or combined impedance is 9.5 ohms[(190×10)/(190+10)], thus the high impedance interlayer short may bevirtually undetectable. This is referred to as the real load effect. Toavoid the real load effect, a destination relay (not shown) may beplaced in the destination module 120. The destination relay may be timedto delay a connection to the real load on a power up sequence while theDWI component 340 performs its tests, thereby eliminating the 8-10 ohmlimitation.

Regarding the detectable inter-layer impedance range between returnconductors 210, 215 and grounding conductors 220, 225, the DWI component340 may accurately detect an inter-layer impedance as high asapproximately 5000 ohms prior to the full electrification of the flatwire 105.

The DWI component 340 may limit or eliminate the detection of falsealarms by performing pre-testing on the flat wire 105 prior to testingthe flat wire 105 for inter-layer shorts. The DWI component 340 may alsolimit or eliminate the detection of false alarms by performingpost-testing on the flat wire 105 after testing the flat wire 105 forinter-layer shorts. For pre-testing the flat wire 105, the source/sensecircuit 900 may monitor the conductors of the flat wire 105 for avoltage signal prior to transmitting a voltage-based test signal ontothe flat wire 105. If a voltage signal is detected on one of theconductors of the flat wire 105 prior to applying a test signal to theflat wire 105, then the source/sense circuit 900 may wait for the flatwire 105 to de-energize before applying a test signal to the flat wire105. For post-testing of the flat wire 105, after the flat wire 105 hasbeen tested with voltage-based test signals, the source/sense circuit900 may continue to monitor the conductors of the flat wire 105 for avoltage signal. Further voltage-based testing of the flat wire 105 usingtest signals may not be permitted as long as there is a voltage signaldetected on one of the conductors of the flat wire 105.

It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that thevoltage-based method of testing the load side of a flat wire 105 formiswires and wire faults may be implemented by devices other than theDWI component 340 of an ASD 100. For example, the voltage-based methodmay be particularly useful in a general purpose portable flat wire testsystem, such as a portable handheld flat wire testing device.

According to another aspect of the invention, the DWI component 340 mayutilize one or more current-based methods to identify or locate lineside faults or miswires of a flat wire 105 connected to an ASD 100.Before the relay 310 of the ASD 100 is closed, thereby allowing the flatwire 105 to be electrified, the DWI component 340 may use acurrent-based method to test the flat wire 105 on the load side anddetermine whether the flat wire 105 has been connected or wiredproperly. Determining whether the flat wire 105 is connected properlyprior to the full electrification of the flat wire 105 may help preventelectrocution, other bodily harm, or property damage caused by amiswire. By using a current-based method of the DWI component 340, theDWI component 340 and/or the control unit 312 may determine whether aflat wire 105 has been installed correctly before the flat wire 105 isever electrified. The DWI component 340 and/or the control unit 312 mayalso determine whether any faults exist in the flat wire 105 before theflat wire 105 is electrified.

FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram of a current-based DWI component 340 thatmay be incorporated into an ASD 100 according to an illustrativeembodiment of the invention. As a preliminary matter, it may be notedthat FIG. 9B depicts a different source device 103 and destinationdevice 117 than that shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 9B, the line side powersource 115 is incorporated into the source device 103 and the load sidedestination 125 is incorporated into the destination device 117. Such asituation might occur, for example, if the source device 103 included astandard electrical plug that may be plugged into an electrical outletand if the destination device 117 included one or electrical outlets.

As shown in FIG. 9B, the DWI component 340 may be in communication withone or more excitation or drive circuits 905, 910 and one or more sensecircuits 915, 920, 925 that are used to detect miswires and/or wirefaults in the flat wire 105. The excitation circuits 905, 910 and thesense circuits 915, 920, 925 may be included in or controlled by the DWIcomponent. Alternatively, the excitation circuits 905, 910 and the sensecircuits 915, 920, 925 may be included in the flat wire I/O interface311, and the DWI component 340 may be in communication with the flatwire I/O interface 311 and the excitation circuits 905, 910 and sensecircuits 915, 920, 925. The DWI component 340 may determine whether aflat wire 105 connected to the ASD 100 has been properly terminatedprior to the electrification of the flat wire 100. The DWI component 340depicted in FIG. 9B is designed to be used in conjunction with anelectrical flat wire including an electrifiable conductor 205 and tworeturn conductors 210, 215 formed on opposing sides of the electrifiableconductor 205. The electrical flat wire may further include twogrounding conductors 220, 225 formed on opposing sides of the combinedelectrifiable conductor 205 and return conductors 220, 225. It will,however, be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that a DWIcomponent 340 according to the invention may be used in conjunction withany flat wire (and/or any conventional wire), regardless of the numberand type of conductors contained in that flat wire.

Referring to FIG. 9B, the DWI component 340 may test the flat wire 105for miswires by transmitting a current-based signal over one conductorof the flat wire 105 and testing one or more of the other conductors ofthe flat wire 105 for a return signal. For example, the associatedconductor of the loop may be tested for a current indicating that theflat wire 100 is wired correctly. For instance, the DWI component 340may transmit a current-based signal over a first grounding conductor 220and then monitor a second grounding conductor 225 for a currentindicating that the grounding conductors 220, 225 are wired correctly.Alternatively, the DWI component 340 may transmit a current-based signalover a first return conductor 210 and then monitor a second returnconductor 215 for a current indicating that the return conductors 210,215 are wired correctly. If the grounding conductors 220, 225 and returnconductors 210, 215 are wired correctly, then the DWI component 340 maypresume that the electrifiable conductor 205 of the flat wire 105 iswired correctly. Alternatively, the DWI component 340 may performadditional tests to verify that the flat wire 105 is terminatedproperly, as discussed in greater detail below with reference to FIG.13. The current that is tested for may be a predetermined thresholdcurrent, which may be, for example, 10 milliamps. If the currentdetected on the associated conductor of a flat wire loop is less than 10milliamps, the loop may not be wired or terminated correctly at thedestination module 120.

A method and circuit for determining whether the grounding conductors220, 225 of a flat wire 105 have been wired correctly will now bedescribed in greater detail. It will be understood that the same or asimilar method may be used to determine whether the return conductors210, 215 have been wired correctly. In order to test for correct wiring,a ground excitation circuit 905 under control of the DWI component 340(and/or the control unit 312) may transmit a current signal over a firstgrounding conductor 220. The ground excitation circuit 905 may be anexcitation current transformer or any other suitable device capable oftransmitting a signal over a first grounding conductor 220 including,but not limited to, multiplexers, isolators, and relays. In order totransmit a current signal onto the first grounding conductor 220, a testsignal may be used to drive a voltage-to-current converter, which inturn forces the current through the primary windings of the currenttransformer in the ground excitation circuit 905. Additionally, in orderto minimize the magnitude of the excitation placed on the flat wire 105,the signal transmitted by the ground excitation circuit 905 may be at afrequency much greater than 50 or 60 Hz, which is the frequencytypically carried over electrical wires. According to an aspect of theinvention, the frequency of the signal transmitted by the groundexcitation circuit 905 may be at a frequency of approximately 1000 Hz orgreater. The current-based signal communicated or transmitted onto thefirst grounding conductor 220 may be part of an alternating signal thatis used to simultaneously test both the grounding conductor loop and thereturn conductor loop, as described above with reference to FIG. 8.Alternatively, the current-based signal used to test the groundingconductor loop may be a separate signal than that used to test thereturn conductor loop.

After a signal has been transmitted over a first grounding conductor220, if the grounding conductors 220, 225 are properly terminated, thenthe signal will pass through the destination module 120 and return tothe source module 110 via the second grounding conductor 225. A groundsense circuit 915 connected to the second grounding conductor 225 may beused to detect a current present on the grounding conductors 220, 225.The ground sense circuit 915 may be a sensing current transformer or itmay be any other suitable device capable of sensing a current including,but not limited to, resistors, isolators, and Hall Effect devices.

The DWI component 340 may also determine whether the return conductors210, 215 have been wired correctly on the load side. In order to testfor correct wiring, a return excitation circuit 910 under control of theDWI component 340 transmits a current-based signal over a′ first returnconductor 210, in the same manner as the ground excitation circuit 905transmits a signal over a first grounding conductor 220. Thecurrent-based signal communicated or transmitted onto the firstgrounding conductor 220 may be part of an alternating signal that isused to simultaneously test both the grounding conductor loop and thereturn conductor loop, as described above with reference to FIG. 8.Alternatively, the current-based signal used to test the returnconductor loop may be a separate signal than that used to test thegrounding conductor loop. After a signal has been transmitted over afirst return conductor 210, if the return conductors 210, 215 areproperly terminated, then the signal will pass through the destinationmodule 120 and return to the source module 110 via the second returnconductor 215. A return sense circuit 920 connected to the second returnconductor 215 may be used to detect a current present on the returnconductors 210, 215. The return sense circuit 920 may be a sensingcurrent transformer or it may be any other suitable device capable ofsensing a current including, but not limited to, resistors, isolators,and Hall Effect devices.

According to an aspect of the invention, the DWI component 340 may alsodetermine that the flat wire 105 is not terminated properly if a currentis detected on a conductor of the flat wire 105 other than theconductors being tested in any given loop. As explained in greaterdetail below, such a situation may also indicate a wire fault. It willbe appreciated that the DWI component 340 may differentiate between amiswire and a wire fault based upon the magnitude of a current signaldetected on one of the other conductors and/or based on the number ofother conductors on which a current signal is detected. For example, ifa test current is applied to a return conductor 210 and a current thatis approximately equal to the test current is detected on theelectrifiable conductor 205, then the DWI component 340 may determinethat the electrifiable conductor 205 and the other return conductor 215have been miswired. As another example, if a test current is applied toa return conductor 210 and a current signal is detected on all of theconductors of the flat wire 105 (the detected current signals may have alower amplitude than the test current), then the DWI component 340 maydetermine that a wire fault exists and that the conductors of the flatwire 105 have been shorted together.

According to another aspect of the invention, the DWI component 340 mayuse the current-based method to determine whether there are any wirefaults or inter-layer shorts present on the flat wire 105 prior to theelectrification of the flat wire 105. The DWI component 340 may detectinter-layer shorts on a non-electrified flat wire 105 by transmitting alow level current through a single flat wire conductor, such as theelectrifiable conductor 205, or through one set of flat wire 105 layers,such as the return conductors 210, 215. Then, the DWI component 340 maymonitor one or more of the other flat wire 105 layers for a returncurrent. For instance, a current may be transmitted on the one or morereturn conductors 210, 215 of the flat wire 105. The DWI component 340may then monitor the electrifiable conductor 205 and the one or moregrounding conductors 220, 225 of the flat wire 105 for a return current.As another example, a current may be transmitted on the electrifiableconductor 205 of the flat wire 105, and the DWI component 340 willmonitor the one or more return conductors 210, 215 and the one or moregrounding conductors 220, 225 of the flat wire 105 for a return current.

The DWI component 340 may combine testing for miswires in the flat wire105 with testing for wire faults or inter-layer shorts on the flat wire105. For example, with reference to FIG. 9B, when a current-based testsignal is transmitted onto the first grounding conductor 220 by theground excitation circuit 905, the sense circuits 915, 920, 925 may beused to determine whether the flat wire 105 contains any miswires orinter-layer shorts. As previously mentioned, the ground sense circuit915 may be used to determine whether or not the grounding conductors220, 225 have been properly terminated at the toad side. Additionally,the return sense circuit 920 and an electrifiable (or hot) sense circuit925 may be used to monitor the flat wire 105 for a miswire orinter-layer short. If a current-based signal is detected on the secondreturn conductor 210 by the return sense circuit 920, then the DWIcomponent 340 may determine that there is an inter-layer short betweenone or more of the grounding conductors 220, 225 and one or more of thereturn conductors 210, 215. Similarly, if a current-based signal isdetected on the electrifiable conductor 205 by the electrifiable sensecircuit 925, the DWI component 340 may determine that there is aninter-layer short between one or more of the grounding conductors 220,225 and the electrifiable conductor 205.

As an example, a test current of approximately 10 milliamps (mA) may betransmitted onto the first grounding conductor 220 of the flat wire 105by the ground excitation circuit 910. If the ground sense circuit 915detects a signal of approximately 10 milliamps on the second groundingconductor 220, then the DWI component 340 may determine that thegrounding conductors 220, 225 are properly terminated. If, however, theground sense circuit 915 does not detect a signal of approximately 10milliamps on the second grounding conductor 220, then the DWI component340 may determine that the grounding conductors 220, 225 are notproperly terminated and the DWI component 340 may prevent the relay 310from being closed to prevent electrification of the flat wire 105.Additionally, if a current is detected on either the second returnconductor 215 by the return sense circuit 920 or on the electrifiableconductor 205 by the electrifiable sense circuit 925, then the DWIcomponent 340 may determine that there is an inter-layer short in theflat wire 105. The DWI component 340 may then prevent the relay 310 frombeing closed to prevent electrification of the flat wire 105.

The combination of excitation circuits 905, 910 and sense circuits 915,920, 925 shown in FIG. 9B is simply one combination of these circuitsthat may be used in accordance with various embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that excitation circuits and/or sensecircuits may be used to transmit a signal onto or monitor any of theconductors of the flat wire 105. Using the example above, when a testsignal is transmitted onto the first grounding conductor 220, anadditional sense circuit may be used to monitor the first returnconductor 210 of the flat wire 105 for a return signal that indicates aninter-layer short between one or more of the grounding conductors 220,225 and the first return conductor 210. It will be understood, however,that because the two return conductors 210, 215 form a loop if they arewired correctly, any inter-layer short between one or more of thegrounding conductors 220, 225 and the first return conductor 210 wouldalso be detected by the return sense circuit 920 that is monitoring thesecond return conductor 215.

The excitation circuits 905, 910 and the sense circuit 915, 920, 925 maybe incorporated into the DWI component 340. Alternatively, theexcitation circuits 905, 910 and the sense circuits 915, 920, 925 may beincluded in the flat wire I/O interface 311, and the DWI component 340may be in communication with the flat wire I/O interface 311 eitherdirectly or through the control unit 312.

Additionally, the current-based method of the DWI component 340 mayutilize one or more testing relays in conjunction with monitoring thesense circuits 915, 920, 925 for a return signal. The testing relays maybe used to short one or more conductors or layers of the flat wire 105together when making a measurement. The shorts created by the testingrelays may assist in measuring the current across any two conductors ofthe flat wire 105. Accordingly, the testing relays may assist inlocating or identifying conductors that have been miswired and/or inlocalizing flat wire faults. As an example, two testing relays 930, 935may be used by the DWI component 340 in conjunction with monitoring theflat wire 105 for miswires and inter-layer shorts. FIG. 9C is aschematic diagram of an example DWI component 340 that utilizes testingrelays 930, 935 in monitoring a flat wire 105 for miswires andinter-layer shorts according to certain embodiments of the invention. Asshown in FIG. 9C, when neither of the testing relays 930, 935 isactuated or, in other words, neither of the testing relays 930, 935 isin a closed position, a default state may exist in which both thegrounding loop and the return loop are allowed to be completed on theflat wire 105. While neither of the testing relays 930, 935 is actuated,the DWI component 340 may test the flat wire 105 for complete groundingand return conductor loops. When the first testing relay 930 is actuatedor in a closed position, the return excitation circuit 910 may beconnected or shorted to the ground sense circuit 915, thereby creatinghalf of a loop necessary to check for an inter-layer short between oneor more of the return conductors 210, 215 and one or more of thegrounding conductors 220, 225. If an inter-layer short exists betweenone or more of the return conductors 210, 215 and one or more of thegrounding conductors 220, 225, then the loop will be complete and theDWI component 340 will detect the inter-layer short. Similarly, when thesecond testing relay 935 is actuated or in a closed position, the returnexcitation circuit 910 may be connected or shorted to the electrifiableor hot sense circuit 925, thereby creating half of a loop necessary tocheck for an inter-layer short between one or more of the returnconductors 210, 215 and the electrifiable conductor 205. If aninter-layer short exists between one or more of the return conductors210, 215 and the electrifiable conductor 205, then the loop will becomplete and the DWI component 340 will detect the inter-layer short.When the DWI component 340 completes its testing, then both testingrelays 930, 935 may be de-energized back to their original or defaultstates.

FIG. 10 is an example flowchart of the operation of a current-baseddetection method by a DWI component 340, according to an illustrativeembodiment of the invention. The flowchart of FIG. 10 may be associatedwith the current-based detection method and circuitry described abovewith reference to FIG. 9B. If power is applied to the DWI component 340at block 1005, then the DWI component 340 may go to block 1010. At block1010, the DWI component 340 may apply a test signal to the firstgrounding conductor 220 of the flat wire 105. Then, the DWI component340 may go to block 1015 and monitor the remaining conductors of theflat wire 105 for a return signal. At block 1020, the DWI component maydetermine whether the grounding conductor loop has been terminatedproperly by determining whether or not an appropriate return signal ispresent on the second grounding conductor 225. If the groundingconductor loop is not determined to be properly terminated, then the DWIcomponent 340 may go to block 1065 and prevent the relay 310 from beingclosed to prevent electrification of the flat wire 105. If, however, thegrounding conductor loop is determined to be properly terminated atblock 1020, then the DWI component 340 may go to block 1025. At block1025, the DWI component 340 may determine whether or not a short circuitexists between the grounding conductors 220, 225 and any of the otherconductors of the flat wire 105 by determining whether or not a returnsignal is present on one or more of the electrifiable conductor 205, thefirst return conductor 210, and the second return conductor 215. If areturn signal is detected on any of the conductors other than thegrounding conductors 220, 225, a wire fault may be present on the flatwire 105, and the DWI component 340 may go to block 1065 and prevent therelay 310 from being closed to prevent electrification of the flat wire105. If, however, no return signal is detected on any of the conductorsother than the grounding conductors 220, 225, then the DWI component maygo to block 1030.

At block 1030, the DWI component 340 may apply a test signal to thefirst return conductor 210 of the flat wire 105. Then, the DWI component340 may go to block 1035 and monitor the remaining conductors of theflat wire 105 for a return signal. At block 1040, the DWI componentdetermines whether the return conductor loop has been terminatedproperly by determining whether or not an appropriate return signal ispresent on the second return conductor 215. If the return conductor loopis not determined to be properly terminated, then the DWI component 340may go to block 1065 and prevent the relay 310 from being closed toprevent electrification of the flat wire 105. If, however, the returnconductor loop is determined to be properly terminated at block 1040,then the DWI component 340 may go to block 1045. At block 1045, the DWIcomponent 340 may determine whether or not a short circuit existsbetween the return conductors 210, 215 and any of the other conductorsof the flat wire 105 by determining whether or not a return signal ispresent on one or more of the electrifiable conductor 205, the firstgrounding conductor 220, and the second grounding conductor 225. If areturn signal is detected on any of the conductors other than the returnconductors 210, 215, then a wire fault may be present on the flat wire105, and the DWI component 340 may go to block 1065 and prevent therelay 310 from being closed to prevent electrification of the flat wire105. If, however, no return signal is detected on any of the conductorsother than the return conductors 210, 215, then the DWI component may goto block 1050.

At block 1050, the DWI component 340 may apply a test signal to theelectrifiable conductor 205 of the flat wire 105. Then, the DWIcomponent 340 may go to block 1055 and monitor the remaining conductorsof the flat wire 105 for a return signal. At block 1060, the DWIcomponent 340 may determine whether or not there is a return signal inany of the other conductors of the flat wire 105. A return signal in anyof the other conductors may indicate a miswire of the electrifiableconductor 205 or a short between the electrifiable conductor 205 and oneof the other conductors of the flat wire 105. If at block 1060, a returnsignal is detected on one of the other conductors of the flat wire 105,then the DWI component 340 may go to block 1065 and prevent the relay310 from being closed to prevent electrification of the flat wire 105.If, however, no return signal is detected on any of the other conductorsof the flat wire 105 at block 1060, then the DWI component 340 may go toblock 1070 and allow the relay 310 of the ASD 100 to be closed.Alternatively, a DWI component flag or state may be set, and the flag orstate may be used by the ASD 100 in conjunction with the flags or statesfrom other tests to determine whether or not the relay 310 is allowed toclose.

It also will be understood by those of skill in the art that the testsperformed by the current-based method of the DWI component 340 do notnecessarily have to be performed in the order set forth in the logic ofFIG. 10, but instead may be performed in any suitable order. It alsowill be understood that the DWI component 340 does not have to conducteach test set forth in FIG. 10, but instead may conduct less than all ofthe tests set forth in FIG. 10. If any test results in the execution ofblock 1065, then the DWI component 340 may still perform the remainingtests and may record the outcome of each test, or at least the ones thatresult in a positive miswire or fault indication. Additionally, if amiswire or fault is detected by the DWI component 340, an indicator maybe stored by the DWI component 340 or by the control unit 312, and theindicator may include information as to which test(s) resulted in thedetection of a miswire. This indicator may then be transmitted by theASD 100 to another device such as a second ASD 100, a central monitoringdevice, or a computer. The DWI component 340 and/or the control unit 312may also cause additional data, for example, measurements data taken bythe components of the DWI component 340, to be stored in an appropriatememory, such as the memory 405 of the control unit 312.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an alternative DWI component 340 thatmay be incorporated into an ASD 100, according to an embodiment of theinvention. As shown, the ASD 100 may include more than one relay 310,1105 that may be utilized to test the flat wire 105. With reference toFIG. 11, the ASD 100 may control the actuation of a first relay 310 inorder to control the communication of an electrical power signal fromthe line side power source 115 to the electrifiable conductor 315 of theflat wire 105. The ASD 100 may also control the actuation of a secondrelay 1105 in order to control the communication of an electrical signalfrom the line side power source 115 to one or more return conductors210, 215 of the flat wire 105. According to an aspect of the invention,the two relays 310, 1105 may be actuated independently of one another.For example, the second relay 1105 may be utilized in association withthe DWI component 340 in order to test the flat wire 105 for miswiresand/or wire faults. The second relay 1105 may be closed for apredetermined period of time, such as one half cycle of the electricalpower signal of the line side power source 115, thereby allowing anelectrical signal to be communicated onto one or more of the returnconductors 210, 215. It will be appreciated that the electrical signalcommunicated onto one or more of the return conductors 210, 215 may bethe electrical power signal communicated from the line side power source115 or, alternatively, the electrical signal may be an altered versionof the line side power source signal. For example, the line side powersource signal may be stepped down or stepped up by an appropriatetransformer and/or current limited by an appropriate resistor deviceprior to being communicated onto one or more of the return conductors210, 215.

Once an electrical signal has been communicated onto one or more of thereturn conductors 210, 215, one or more sensors 1110, 1115, 1120associated with the DWI component 340 may be utilized to test the flatwire 105 for return signals. The one or more sensors 1110, 1115, 1120may be appropriate voltage or current sensors, as previously discussed.For example, the one or more sensors 1110, 1115, 1120 may be currenttransformers. As shown in FIG. 11, one or more sensors 1110, 1115, 1120may be utilized to test the electrifiable conductor 205, one or more ofthe return conductors 210, 215, and one or more of the groundingconductors 220, 225 for return signals. Because the return conductors210, 215 and the grounding conductors 220, 225 form respective loops ifthey are properly terminated at the destination module 120, it will beappreciated that only one sensor may be utilized for each pair ofconductors. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the sensors 1110,1115 utilized to test for a return signal on the electrifiable conductor205 and one or more of the return conductors 210, 215 may be the currentsensors utilized by the GFCI component 315.

The DWI component 340 of FIG. 11 may test the flat wire 105 for miswiresand/or wire faults in a similar manner to that described above for thereturn conductors with reference to FIG. 10. For example, following thecommunication of an electrical signal onto one or more of the returnconductors 210, 215, miswires and/or wire faults may be identified bythe return signals that are detected by the one or more sensors 1110,1115, 1120. If a return signal is detected on the electrifiableconductor 205 and/or one or more of the grounding conductors 220, 225,then a miswire and/or wire fault may be present on the flat wire 105.Additionally, if an electrical signal is applied to the first returnconductor 210 and a return signal is not detected on the second returnconductor 215, then a miswire may be identified in the flat wire 105.

It will be understood that the ASD 100 may include any number of relaysand that an electrical signal may be communicated onto any conductor(s)of the flat wire 105 for testing. For example, a relay may be utilizedto allow an electrical signal to be communicated onto one or more of thegrounding conductors 220, 225 of the flat wire 105, and the flat wire105 may be tested for return signals in a similar manner as thatdescribed above with reference to FIG. 11. It will be appreciated thatthe use of more than one relay may assist in preventing bounce and wearand tear on one or more of relays. For example, if a relay 1105 isutilized to control the communication of an electrical signal onto oneor more of the return conductors 210, 215, then the relay 1105 may notbe subject to the bounce and/or wear and tear that the relay 310utilized in association with the electrifiable conductor 205 is subjectto.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an ASD 100 and a DWI component 340that may be utilized to detect high impedance shorts or wire faults in aflat wire 105, according to an embodiment of the invention. Withreference to FIG. 12, more than one relay 310, 1205 may be incorporatedinto the ASD 100. A first relay 310 may be utilized to control thecommunication of an electrical power signal from the line side powersource 115 onto the flat wire 105. A second relay 1205 may be utilizedto control the communication of a test signal onto the flat wire 105.The test signal may be a current limited version of the electrical powersignal. For example, the electrical power signal may be passed throughan appropriate resistance device 1210 (e.g., a resistor) in order tolimit the current of the termination test signal. It will be appreciatedthat the current may be limited to any appropriate value, such as acurrent that is between approximately 6 mA and approximately 100 mA.According to an aspect of the invention, the current may be limited toapproximately 20 mA. Additionally, other parameters of the test signalmay be altered by appropriate circuitry 1215. For example, the voltageof the test signal may be altered before it is communicated onto theflat wire 105. As an example, the voltage of the test signal may bestepped up to a higher voltage value by a suitable transformer before itis communicated onto the flat wire 100. As another example, the voltageof the test signal may be increased before it is communicated onto theflat wire 100 by an appropriate inversion technique. According to anaspect of the invention, the test signal may have a voltage that isbetween approximately 120 V and 1000 V, although higher voltage valuesmay be used. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the test signalmay be either an alternating current signal or a direct current signal,such as a direct current signal obtained by rectifying the electricalpower signal received from the line side power source 115. It will alsobe understood that the test signal may have virtually any frequency. Forexample, the test signal may have a frequency between approximately 50Hz and approximately 1 MHz. According to an aspect of the invention, thetest signal may have a frequency of approximately 30 KHz.

It will be appreciated that the use of a high voltage test signal mayassist in detecting high impendence shorts or wire faults on the flatwire 105. For example, a high voltage test signal may assist indetecting an arc flash or other arcing condition on the flat wire 105.It will further be appreciated that the use of a current limited singlemay provide for additional safety if there is a wire fault on the flatwire 105. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the use of the testsignal described with reference to FIG. 12 by the ASD 100 to test theflat wire 105 may be used as a proactive safety test independently of orin addition to one or more of the other proactive safety tests describedherein or apparent to one or ordinary skill in the art.

The test signal may be communicated onto one or more of the conductorsof the flat wire 105 by closing the second relay 1205. It will beappreciated that the second relay 1205 may be closed for a predeterminedperiod of time. Virtually any predetermined period of time may beutilized, as will be understood by those of skill in the art.Additionally, the test signal may be communicated onto any of theconductors of the flat wire 105. For example, the test signal may becommunicated onto one or more of the return conductors 210, 215 of theflat wire 105, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 11. As anotherexample, the test signal may be communicated onto one or more of thegrounding conductors 220, 225 of the flat wire 105. As yet anotherexample, the test signal may be communicated onto the electrifiableconductor 205 of the flat wire 105. After the test signal has beencommunicated onto one or more conductors of the flat wire 105, the DWIcomponent 340 may monitor one or more conductors of the flat wire 105for a return signal in a similar manner as that discussed above withreference to FIG. 11. The detection of a return signal may indicate thepresence of a miswire and/or a wire fault on the flat wire 105. Forexample, if the test signal is communicated onto the first returnconductor 210, then the detection of a return signal on theelectrifiable conductor 205 and/or one or more of the groundingconductors 220, 225 may indicate a miswire and/or a wire fault. If amiswire or wire fault is detected by the DWI component 340, then therelay 310 may be maintained in an opened position, thereby preventingthe full electrification of the flat wire 105. Additionally, the secondrelay 1205 may be maintained in an opened position. If, however, nomiswires or wire faults are detected by the DWI component 340, then thefirst relay 310 may be permitted to be closed, thereby allowing the fullelectrification of the flat wire 105.

As previously mentioned, additional tests may be conducted on theelectrifiable conductor 205 of the flat wire 105 in order to determinethat the electrifiable conductor 205 has been properly terminated. Theseadditional tests are described herein as reactive tests; however it willbe appreciated that proactive tests may also be utilized prior to thefull electrification of the flat wire 105. These tests may also beassociated with the load side wire integrity. Accordingly, the DWIcomponent 340 may include both reactive and proactive elements. FIG. 13is a schematic diagram of an example circuit that may be utilized totest for a proper flat wire termination at a destination module 120,according to an embodiment of the invention. With reference to FIG. 13,during the electrification of the flat wire 105 and/or after theelectrification of the flat wire 105, the ASD 100 may test for a propertermination of the electrifiable conductor 205. In other words, once therelay 310 has been closed, the ASD 100 may test for an appropriatereturn signal that indicates that the electrifiable conductor 205 isproperly terminated at the destination module 120. In order to test fora proper termination or the electrifiable conductor 205 at thedestination module 120, an electrical load 1305 may be incorporated intothe destination module 120. The electrical load 1305 may be a passiveload that is detectable by the ASD 100, such as one or more LED's, oneor more resistors, and/or one or more capacitors. The electrical load1305 may be connected between the electrifiable conductor 205 and one ormore of the return conductors 210, 215 of the flat wire 105. Theelectrical load 1305 may have virtually any total impedance that isdiscernable by one or more current sensing devices included in the ASD100.

Once the relay 310 has been closed and an electrical power signal iscommunicated onto the flat wire 105, the electrical load 1305 mayoperate to generate a current on the flat wire 105 that may bedetectable by appropriate current sensors of the ASD 100, for example,the current sensors utilized in association with the DWI component 340.The generated current may then be detected by one or more appropriatecurrent sensors associated with the ASD 100 and, based at least in parton the amplitude of the detected current, a determination may be made asto whether the electrifiable conductor 205 and/or one or more of thereturn conductors 210, 215 have been properly terminated. In otherwords, if the detected current is above a predetermined threshold value,it may be determined that the electrifiable conductor 205 and/or one ormore of the return conductors 210, 215 have been properly terminated.If, however, the detected current is below the predetermined thresholdvalue, it may be determined that the electrifiable conductor 205 and/orone or more of the return conductors 210, 215 are not properlyterminated, and the relay 310 may be opened, thereby de-energizing theflat wire 105. Many different predetermined threshold values may beutilized in accordance with the invention, such as for example apredetermined threshold value of approximately 20 mA. It will also beappreciated that if an electrical device, such as a lamp or a vacuumcleaner, is connected to the destination module 120, then a greaterelectrical load 1305 may be present on the flat wire 105. As discussedearlier, the over-current protection component 325 may de-energize theflat wire 105 if the current on the flat wire 105 exceeds a maximumallowed current, such as a current of 15 A.

As an example, once the flat wire 105 has been fully electrified, a 120VAC signal may be communicated over the electrifiable conductor 205 tothe destination module 120. The 120 VAC signal may then be communicatedthrough an electrical load 1305 that is connected between theelectrifiable conductor 205 and one or more of the return conductors210, 215 in the destination module 120, thereby generating a current onthe flat wire 105. The current may then be detected at the ASD 100 andcompared to a predetermined threshold value in order to verify that theflat wire 105 is terminated properly. If an LED is utilized as part ofthe electrical load 1305 in the destination module 120, it will beappreciated that the LED may also provide a visual indication of aproper termination for the flat wire 105. Furthermore, it will beunderstood that a similar test as that discussed above with reference toFIG. 13 for the electrifiable conductor 205 may also be conducted on oneor more of the other conductors of the flat wire 105.

Although the tests to detect a properly terminated electrifiableconductor are described above as reactive tests, it will be appreciatedthat proactive tests may be utilized prior to the full electrificationof the flat wire 105. For example a voltage test signal may becommunicated onto the electrifiable conductor 205 of the flat wire 105and the voltage test signal may be communicated through a passive loadin the destination module 120 prior to being returned to the ASD 100.The passive load may cause a detectable voltage drop in the flat wire105. An appropriate voltage sensor in the ASD 100 may then detect thevoltage drop across the passive load and determine whether or not theelectrifiable conductor 205 has been properly terminated. It will beappreciated that the destination module 120 may include an appropriaterelay that may prevent the voltage test signal from being communicatedto an electrical device, such as a lamp or vacuum cleaner. In otherwords, the passive load may be the only load connected to the flat wire105 at the destination module 120 during the proactive testing of theflat wire 105. If the voltage of the termination test signal has beenstepped up prior to being communicated onto the flat wire 105, it may beeasier to detect the electrical load 100. Based at least in part on thevoltage detected at the ASD 100, the DWI component 340 and/or thecontrol unit 312 may determine whether or not the electrifiableconductor 205 has been properly terminated. It will be appreciated thatother conductors of the flat wire 105 may be tested for propertermination utilizing appropriate voltage signals.

It will be appreciated that other safety components may be included orincorporated into or associated with the ASD 100. The safety componentsdescribed herein are provided by way of example only. Other safetycomponents will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in theart.

If will also be appreciated that a variety of safety components or otherfeatures may be included in a destination device 117. As discussedabove, a destination device 117 may include a passive load that assistsin the testing of the proper termination of the flat wire 105. Thedestination device 117 may also include one or more safety componentsthat may be utilized to test flat wire that has been connecteddownstream from the destination device 117, as discussed below withreference to FIG. 19. The one or more safety components that may beincluded may be similar to one or more of the safety componentsdiscussed above for the ASD 100. A destination device 117 may alsoinclude a light emitting diode (LED) or another suitable device that mayindicate to a user when power is being supplied to the destinationdevice 117. A destination device 117 may also include suitable surgeprotection devices and associated fuses that may prevent a dangeroushigh current signal from being passed through the destination device117. For example, the destination device 117 may include a suitablesurge protection device between the electrifiable conductor 205 and thereturn conductors 210, 215. As another example, the destination device117 may include a suitable surge protection device between theelectrifiable conductor 205 and the grounding conductors 220, 225.

A destination device 117 and/or the ASD 100 may also include a batterybackup that permits at least the conducting of proactive tests on theflat wire 105 in the event of a power outage. The battery backup may beany type of battery, such as a rechargeable battery that may be chargedwhile power is provided to the ASD 100 and/or the destination device 117from the line side power source 115. Additionally, as previouslymentioned, a destination device 117 and/or the ASD 100 may include anynumber of electrical sockets. Other features that may be incorporatedinto a destination device 117 will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art.

Safety is an important consideration in the design of wiring systemsthat can carry dangerous voltage levels, especially when there is apossibility of a penetration of an electrifiable conductor 205.Penetration or compromise of a flat wire 105 by objects such as nails,screws, drill bits, knife blades, saw blades, scissors, staples, darts,bullets, toys, etc. should be considered.

As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the flat wire 105described herein, for purposes of disclosing the invention, may itselfbe designed to be safe if it is penetrated. Fire protection and electricshock safety are based on limiting the voltage, and therefore thecurrent in the flat wire 105 while expediting the trip time of a primarysafety device such as a circuit breaker or a fuse in a branch circuitmain box. Secondary protection may also be provided by the ASD 100.

The flat wire 105 may be designed to produce a short between a firstgrounding conductor 220, a first return conductor 210, an electrifiableconductor 205, a second return conductor 215, and a second groundingconductor 225 (G-N-H-N-G) in that sequence upon penetration. With asmuch as four times the conductance ultimately tied to earth ground, avoltage divider is formed favoring the ground voltage over the line orhot voltage. Repeated tests show that voltages present at the site ofpenetrations of the flat wire 105 do not exceed approximately 50 VAC forlonger than a primary safety device's trip time, which is typicallyunder 25 milliseconds. Furthermore, the voltage present at the site ofpenetrations does not exceed approximately 50 VAC for longer than thetrip time of a secondary safety device such as the ASD 100, which may beapproximately 8 milliseconds.

Penetration may occur through the broadside or the flat surface of aflat wire 100 by sharp objects. Alternatively, penetration may occurthrough an edge of the flat wire 100 by an object such as a knife bladeor drywall saw. In either situation, the resulting short may cause ahigh current to be produced at a low voltage for a short time (less thanthe trip time). Startle effect, or sound burst, and localized heatingmay be minimized due to the nature of the protective layered flat wire105.

FIGS. 14A-F are a series of diagrams which depict an example of thedynamics of a nail or tack penetration of a live multi-planar flat wire105. Again, protective layered flat wire 105 has a distinct advantageover conventional wire by assuring that a penetrating object 1400, suchas a nail, first passes through a grounding conductor (G1) 220, then areturn or neutral conductor (N1) 210 prior to any contact with the hotelectrifiable conductor 205.

FIG. 14A depicts a situation in which a penetrating object 1400 has onlypenetrated one grounding conductor 220 of the flat wire 105. Similarly,FIG. 14B depicts a situation in which a penetrating object 1400 haspenetrated only one grounding conductor 220 and one return conductor210. In both FIGS. 14A and 14B, the electrifiable conductor 205 has notyet been penetrated. Accordingly, in both FIGS. 14A and 14B, there maybe no voltage or current present on the penetrating object 1400.Additionally, the current present on the electrifiable conductor 205 ofthe flat wire 105 may be some normal load current. The normal loadcurrent present on the electrifiable conductor 205 may be a currentwhich is less than approximately 15 amps in a standard United Statesbranch application or which is less than approximately 6 amps in astandard European branch application.

FIG. 14C depicts a situation in which the penetrating object 1400 hasshorted the electrifiable conductor 205, one of the return conductors210 and one of the grounding conductors 220. Similarly, FIG. 14D depictsa situation in which the penetrating object 1400 has shorted theelectrifiable conductor 205, both of the return conductors 210, 215 andone of the grounding conductors 220. FIG. 14E depicts a situation inwhich the penetrating object 1400 has shorted the electrifiableconductor 205, both of the return conductors 210, 215 and both of thegrounding conductors 220, 225. In each of FIGS. 14C-14E, the shortcircuit created in the flat wire 105 between the electrifiable conductor205 and any of the other conductors 210, 215, 220, 225 may act as avoltage divider until a primary safety device such as a circuit breakeror a secondary safety device such as an ASD 100 trips. In each of FIGS.14C-14E, there may be a relatively low voltage present on thepenetrating object 1400. The low voltage may be less than approximately50 VAC on a standard 120 VAC wire, and the low voltage may be less thanapproximately 100 VAC on a standard 240 VAC line. Additionally, in eachof FIGS. 14C-14E, the current present on the electrifiable conductor 205may exceed approximately 100 amps until the primary or secondary safetydevice (ASD) 100 trips. There also may be a current present on either ofthe grounding conductors 220, 225 and/or on either of the returnconductors 210, 215 which will also facilitate the tripping of the ASD100.

The time for penetrating from an outer grounding layer 220 to anelectrifiable conductor 205 (FIGS. 14A-14C) may typically be under onemillisecond, which is only a fraction of a typical trip time for aprimary safety device such as a circuit breaker. Similarly, the time tocontinue penetration from an electrifiable conductor 205 to the backsidegrounding layer 225 (FIGS. 14C-14E) may also be relatively short. Theshort circuit created during the penetration may be of a continuousnature. The continuous nature of the short circuit may be due to twoprimary factors: firstly, the conductor contact at the sides of thepenetrating object 1400 is maintained by the insulation displacementprocess during penetration and secondly, by the molten copper in theproximity of the contact area once the short begins.

FIG. 14F depicts a penetration after a penetrating object 1400 has beenremoved from the flat wire 105. If the circuit breaker has been resetprior to the flat wire 105 being electrified, then some additionaldamage may be done to the flat wire 105 before the circuit breaker tripsagain; however, if an ASD 100 is connected to the flat wire 105, thenany additional damage may be prevented. The proactive safety componentsof the ASD 100 may determine that a fault exists on the flat wire 100prior to allowing the flat wire 100 to be fully electrified. Forexample, when testing the flat wire 105 prior to electrification, theDWI component 340 of the ASD 100 may determine that a short existsbetween the conductors or layers of the flat wire 105. The ASD 100 willthen prevent the flat wire 100 from being electrified.

FIG. 15 is a representative graph of the voltage and current waveformspresent during a penetration of a flat wire 105. The voltage waveformpresent on the penetrating object 1400 and current waveform present onthe electrifiable conductor 205 may be captured by an oscilloscope suchas a Gould Ultima 500 oscilloscope. For this example, the penetratingobject 1400 was a nail of a 4d common size and the circuit breaker usedwas a common 20 amp GE circuit breaker. As shown by FIG. 14, the triptime for the circuit breaker may be approximately 12 to 25 millisecondswhen the penetrating object 1400 penetrates the flat wire 105. Note thatthe circuit breaker trip time may be less than the period for one cycleof a standard 120 VAC, 60 Hz electrical wire. The trip time for an ASD100 connected to the flat wire 105 may also be less than the period forone cycle of a standard 120 VAC, 60 Hz electrical wire. Additionally,the trip time of the ASD 100 may be less than the trip time of thecircuit breaker. The trip time of the ASD 100 may be, for example,approximately 8 milliseconds or less, causing the ASD 100 to trip beforethe tripping of the circuit breaker. After the ASD 100 trips, causingthe flat wire 105 to be de-energized, the circuit breaker may or may nottrip.

FIGS. 16A-16D are a series of diagrams which depict examples of thedynamics of a penetration of a non-live multi-planar flat wire 105. FIG.16A shows the inter-layer shorts that occur when a penetrating object1600, such as a nail, penetrates the flat wire 105. Withoutelectrification, the conductors of the flat wire 105 may not experienceadditional damage or fusion from high currents; however, multipleinter-layer shorts may be caused. FIG. 16B shows the residualinter-layer shorts after the penetrating object 1600 has been removedfrom the flat wire 105. The DWI component 340 of an ASD 100 connected tothe flat wire 105 may be able to detect this inter-layer short prior toallowing the flat wire 105 to be fully electrified. The DWI component340 may also be able to determine that the layer loops of the flat wire105, such as the grounding layer loop or the return conductor layerloop, are incomplete prior to allowing the flat wire 105 to be fullyelectrified. The proactive safety components of the ASD 100 may preventflashes or plumes (e.g., arc flashes) which may occur uponelectrification of the flat wire 105 by recognizing defects prior toallowing the flat wire 105 to be fully electrified.

If the penetrating object 1600 penetrated the flat wire 105 after theflat wire 105 had been electrified, then the reactive safety componentsincluding the GFCI component 315 and the ground current monitoringcomponent 330 may detect the flaw in the flat wire 105 and open therelay 310 of the ASD 100, thereby de-energizing the flat wire 105.

FIG. 16C depicts the transverse cut of a flat wire 105 by a cuttingobject 1605, such as a pair of scissors. In FIG. 16C, the cutting object1605 is shown still in the flat wire 105 during the cut. FIG. 16Ddepicts how a partially cut flat wire 105 section would appear once thecutting object 1605 has been removed. The DWI component 340 of an ASD100 connected to the flat wire 105 may be able to detect the inter-layershorts created by the cutting object 1605 prior to allowing the flatwire to be fully electrified. Alternatively, the DWI component 340 maybe able to determine that the layer loops of the flat wire 105, such asthe grounding layer loop or the return conductor layer loop, areincomplete prior to allowing the flat wire 105 to be fully electrified.The proactive safety components of the ASD 100 may prevent flashes orplumes (e.g., arc flashes) which may occur on the flat wire 105 byrecognizing defects prior to allowing the flat wire 105 to be fullyelectrified.

If the cutting object 1605 cuts the flat wire 105 after the flat wire105 has been electrified, then the reactive safety components includingthe GFCI component 315 and the ground current monitoring component 330may detect the flaw in the flat wire 105 and open the relay 310 of theASD 100, thereby de-energizing the flat wire 105.

The various safety components of the ASD 100 may share various circuits.Although the various safety components are described herein asindividual components, it will be understood that the safety componentsmay utilize common circuits. For example, the ASD 100 may include onlyone excitation circuit and one sense circuit that is used as needed byeach of the safety components of the ASD 100.

The sharing of circuits by the various components of the ASD 100 mayfacilitate the construction of a compact device. Accordingly, the ASD100 may be placed in a compact enclosure such as in a wall box or cavitythat is roughly the size of a common electrical outlet. For example, anASD 100 may be placed in a wall cavity that is the size of the cavityused for an electrical outlet. The ASD 100 may be powered by aconventional in-wall electrical wire. Alternatively, an ASD 100 may beplugged into a conventional wall receptacle outlet and powered by thatoutlet. If the ASD 100 is to be plugged into an outlet, the sourcedevice 103 may include, for example, a plug, such as a traditionalthree-prong electrical plug, that may be inserted into the outlet. Insuch a situation, the plug would be the line side power source 115 for aflat wire system 101, and the line side power source 115 would beincorporated into the source device 103. A flat wire 105 may then beconnected to and monitored by the ASD 100. Additionally, the ASD 100 mayhave auxiliary receptacles, or plugs, situated on the exterior surfaceof the ASD 100. These plugs may be common two-prong or three-prong plugsand may be used to power electronic devices.

According to an aspect of the invention, the ASD 100 may be configuredto receive power and an electrical power signal from a line side powersource 115 that is a standard electrical outlet. Additionally, the ASD100 may be configured to prevent the communication of the electricalpower signal onto the flat wire 105 without the electrical power signalfirst being communicated through the ASD 100. Accordingly, the ASD 100may conduct on or more tests on the flat wire 105 prior toelectrification of the flat wire 105, during the electrification of theflat wire 105 and/or subsequent to the electrification of the flat wire105. FIG. 17A is a schematic diagram of an example source deviceconnection to an electrical outlet 1705 and a flat wire 105, accordingto an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The source device 103may be connected to a termination device 1710 associated with the flatwire 105. With reference to FIG. 17A, the source device 103 of the ASD100 may include an electrical plug 1715 that is configured to be pluggedinto a corresponding socket 1720 of an electrical outlet 1705.Additionally, the source module 110 of the ASD 100 may include one ormore source termination points 1725 that are configured to be pluggedinto one or more corresponding termination plugs 1730 associated withthe termination device 1710. The flat wire 105 may be connected to thetermination device 1710, and each conductor of the flat wire 105 may beterminated at a respective termination plug 1730 of the terminationdevice 1710. The conductors of the flat wire 105 may be terminated atthe termination device 1710 in an appropriate order, for example, in aG-N-H-N-G configuration. As one example, a grounding conductor 220 ofthe flat wire 105 may be terminated first and then the other conductorsof the flat wire 105 may be terminated in order until the othergrounding conductor 225 is terminated. It will be appreciated that,given the symmetry of the example flat wire 105 described in thisdisclosure, the flat wire 105 should be terminated correctly regardlessof which grounding conductor 220, 225 is terminated first provided thata G-N-H-N-G configuration is used and that the flat wire 105 conductorsare terminated in order starting with a grounding conductor 220, 225.

With continued reference to FIG. 17A, when the ASD 100 is plugged intothe electrical outlet 1705, the source termination 1725 points will alsobe connected to the corresponding termination plugs 1730 of thetermination device 1710. When the ASD 100 is unplugged from theelectrical outlet 1705, the connection with the termination device 1710will also be severed. Additionally, the termination device 1710 may besituated remotely from the electrical outlet 1705, requiring the ASD 100to complete the connection between the line side power source 115 andthe flat wire 105. Accordingly, the ASD 100 may test the flat wire 105prior to the communication of an electrical power signal from the lineside power source 115 to the flat wire 105.

As shown in FIG. 17A, the source termination points 1725 are maletermination points and the corresponding termination plugs 1730 of thetermination device 1710 are female termination points. However, it willbe understood that the source device 103 may include female terminationpoints and the termination device 1710 may include male terminationpoints. Additionally, it will be understood that other types ofconnections may be utilized between the source device 103 and thetermination device 1710, as will be understood by those of skill in theart. Additionally, It will be appreciated that the connectionsillustrated in FIG. 17A only require the use of one socket 1720 of anelectrical outlet 1705. Accordingly, any remaining sockets of theelectrical outlet 1705 may be free for use with other devices.

According to another aspect of the invention, the ASD 100 may include orincorporate one or more electrical sockets or extender outlets thatpermit standard electrical plugs to be plugged into the ASD 100. FIG.17B is a schematic diagram of an ASD 100 that includes extender outlets,according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The ASD 100 ofFIG. 17B is illustrated as being plugged into an electrical socket, forexample the electrical socket 1705 of FIG. 17A, that is situated on awall 1735. It will be appreciated that the ASD 100 may include anynumber of extender outlets and that the extender outlets may be situatedon any surface of the ASD 100. As shown in FIG. 17B, the ASD 100 mayinclude two extender outlets 1740, 1745 on a peripheral surface of theASD 100 that extends from the front of the ASD 100 to the front surfaceof the wall 1735. The extender outlets 1740, 1745 may be configured insuch a manner that the female connections of the extender outlets 1740,1745 are situated in a horizontal manner relative to the floor orceiling of a room. Accordingly, each of the extender outlets 1740, 1745may permit an electrical plug that includes a transformer to be insertedwithout contacting the wall 1735. It will be appreciated that theextender outlets 1740, 1745 may be configured in such a manner thattheir female connections are situated in any manner, for example, thatof the standard electrical outlet 1705 of FIG. 17A. It will also beappreciated that a destination device 117 may also include one or moreelectrical outlets.

According to another aspect of the invention, the ASD 100 may be capableof supporting and monitoring more than one flat wire 105. Multiple flatwires 105 may extend from the ASD IOU to separate destination modules120 or separate loads 125. Alternatively or additionally, more than oneflat wire 105 may be disposed between the ASD 100 and a destinationdevice 117 or the load 125, as shown in FIG. 18. Illustrated in FIG. 18is a schematic diagram of a flat wire system 1801 including an ASD 100that monitors two flat wires 105, 1805 connected to the same destinationdevice 117, according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.For example, as shown in FIG. 18, both a primary flat wire 105 and asecondary flat wire 1805 may extend from the ASD 100 to a destinationdevice 117. If the ASD 100 detects a wire fault in the primary flat wire105, then the ASD 100 may maintain the relay 310 connected to theprimary flat wire 105 in its open position, thereby preventingelectrification of the primary flat wire 105. The ASD 100 may then closea relay connected to the secondary flat wire 1805 and allowelectrification of the secondary flat wire 1805 in order to power theload 125. It will be appreciated that the secondary flat wire 1805 maybe monitored by the ASD 100 in the same was as the primary flat wire105. Additionally, the control unit 312 of the ASD 100 or,alternatively, a safety component of the ASD 100, may provide anindication of the change to the secondary flat wire 1805 to a user. Thisindication may be any control action such as activating an LED thatindicates the change by the ASD 100 to the secondary flat wire 1805.Another control action that may be taken is the transmission of amessage indicating the change by the ASD 100 to the secondary flat wire1805. The message may be transmitted to another ASD 100, to a centralhub or control panel, or to another destination, as will be explained ingreater detail below.

According to another aspect of the invention, an ASD 100 or sourcedevice 103 containing an ASD 100 may be used in conjunction with morethan one destination device 117 connected in series. FIG. 19 is aschematic diagram of multiple destination devices 117 a-n in a serialconfiguration being supported by a single source device 103, accordingto an illustrative embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 19, asingle source device 103 containing an ASD 100 may monitor a flat wire105 that runs from the source device 103 to a series of destinationdevices 117 a-n. Each of the destination devices 117 a-n may be anelectrical load such as an outlet assembly or receptacle. This type ofconfiguration may also be referred to as an add-a-receptacleconfiguration or as a daisy chain configuration. It will be understoodthat any number of ASD's and/or destination devices may be connected inseries.

As shown in FIG. 19, the flat wire 105 may extend from the source device103 through each destination device 117 a-n. An input segment of theflat wire 105 may be terminated at each destination device 117 a-n andthen a new output segment of flat wire 105 may be used to connect thenext destination device 117 a-n. For example, a first segment of flatwire 105 may connect the source module 110 to the destination module 120of the first destination device 117 a, where the first segment of flatwire 105 is terminated. A separate segment of flat wire 105 may thenconnect the first destination device 117 a to the second destinationdevice 117 b. This pattern may continue until the flat wire 105 reachesthe last destination device 117 n. Alternatively, a single segment offlat wire 105 may be used to connect all of the destination device 117a-n. Each destination device 117 a-n may be connected to the flat wire105 with a suitable terminal that connects each conductor of the flatwire 105 to the destination device 117 a-n. Termination points withinthe destination module 120 and expansion module 122 of each destinationdevice 117, which are used to connect the flat wire 105 to thedestination device 117, may include terminal blocks, crimp-on terminals,plug and socket connectors, insulation displacement connectors (IDC),conductor penetration connectors (CPC), or any other electricalconnector as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Each destination device 117 a-n may include a relay in communicationwith and controlled by the ASD 100 for passing the signal carried by theflat wire 105 on to the next destination device 117 a-n. For example,the first destination device 117 a may include a relay that passes theelectrical power and/or signals carried by the flat wire 105 on to thesecond destination device 117 b. The flat wire 105 may be relayedthrough each destination device 117 a-n-1 until the flat wire reachesthe last destination device 117 n, at which point no relay is necessary.Optionally, each destination device 117 may include a DWI component 340that is used to test the flat wire 105 extending from the destinationdevice 117 to the next downstream destination device. The relays may betime delay relays, meaning that each of the relays may be actuated orclosed after it receives power for a minimum period of time. The periodof time that each relay needs to receive power before it is actuated maybe a period of time that is sufficient for testing the next downstreamsegment of flat wire 105, such as approximately 375 milliseconds.Additionally, the period of time that each relay needs to receive powerbefore it is actuated may be an adjustable period of time. It will beunderstood that, as an alternative to a relay, each destination module117 a-n may include a control unit or other control logic that is incommunication with the ASD 100, and that is used to isolate a flaw inthe flaw wire 105, as described in greater detail below with referenceto destination device 117 a-n that include relays.

Additionally, each of the destination device 117 a-n may be incommunication with the ASD 100, as described in greater detail below.While the ASD 100 is monitoring the flat wire 105, if a miswire or faultis detected in the flat wire 105, then the miswire or fault may beisolated by the ASD 100 by using the relays. As an example, before therelay 310 of the ASD 100 is closed, the ASD 100 may test the flat wire105 for miswire or faults. The ASD 100 may first test the first segmentof flat wire 105 that runs between the source module 110 and thedestination module 120 of the first destination device 117 a. If amiswire or fault is detected, then the ASD 100 may maintain the relay310 in its open position and prevent electrification of the flat wire105. If no miswire or fault is detected in the first segment of the flatwire 105, then the ASD 100 may test the combined first segment of theflat wire 105 and the second segment of the flat wire 105 that connectsthe first destination device 117 a and the second destination device 117b. If a miswire or fault is detected, then the ASD 100 may preventelectrification of the flat wire 105 or it may transmit a signal to therelay of the first destination device 117 a instructing the relay toremain open. The first segment of the flat wire 105 may then beelectrified permitting a load connected to the first destination device117 a to receive power; however, none of the destination devices 117 b-nconnected down the line from the first destination device 117 a willreceive power. Accordingly, a miswire or fault in the flat wire 105 maybe isolated by the ASD 100, and any destination devices 117 a-nconnected to the ASD 100 prior to the flat wire segment containing themiswire or fault are identified and may be permitted to receive power.The other flat wire segments may be prevented from receiving power. Asanother example, if the ASD 100 detects a miswire or fault in flat wire105 while the flat wire 105 is electrified, the ASD 100 may open itsrelay 310 and de-energize the flat wire 105. Then, the ASD 100 may usethe method described in the example above to isolate the segment of theflat wire 105 in which the miswire or fault occurs, and the ASD 100 mayallow electrification of the flat wire 105 up until the segment of theflat wire 105 at which the miswire or fault occurs. As another example,in order to avoid timing delays associated with incremental testing, anentire length of flat wire 105 (or more than a single flat wire segment)may be tested prior to electrifying the flat wire 105. In order toaccomplish this, the relays in each of the destination devices 117 a-nmay be closed and a test signal may be communicated through the flatwire 105 by the ASD 100. If a miswire or fault is detected in the flatwire 105, then the incremental method described above may be utilized toisolate the miswire or fault.

Alternatively, if each destination device 117 a-n includes a DWIcomponent 340, then each destination device 117 a-n may test the nextdownstream segment of flat wire 105 before that segment of flat wire 105is electrified. The tests performed by the DWI component 340 of eachdestination device 117 a-n may also be used to isolate a miswire orfault in the flat wire 105 and prevent the miswired or faulty segment offlat wire 105 and any downstream flat wire segments from receivingelectrical power. As an example, the ASD 100 may first test the firstsegment of flat wire 105 that runs between the source module 110 and thedestination module 120 of the first destination device 117 a. If amiswire or fault is detected, then the ASD 100 may maintain the relay310 in its open position and prevent electrification of the flat wire105. If no miswire or fault is detected in the first segment of the flatwire 105, then the ASD 100 may allow the first segment of the flat wire105 to be electrified. Then, the DWI component 340 of the firstdestination device 117 a may test the second segment of the flat wire105 that connects the first destination device 117 a and the seconddestination device 117 b. If a miswire or fault is detected, then thefirst destination device 117 a may prevent electrification of the secondsegment of the flat wire 105 by opening the relay of the firstdestination device 117 a. If, however, no miswire or fault is detectedin the second segment of the flat wire 105, then the first destinationdevice 117 a may allow the second segment of the flat wire 105 to beelectrified. The destination devices 117 b-n downstream from the firstdestination device 117 a may contain the same functionality as the firstdestination device 117 a. Accordingly, a miswire or fault in the flatwire 105 may be isolated by the ASD 100 and any destination devices 117a-n connected to the ASD 100 prior to the miswired or faulty segment offlat wire 105 are identified and may be permitted to receive power. Theother flat wire segments are prevented from receiving power. As anotherexample, if the ASD 100 detects a miswire or fault in flat wire 105while the flat wire 105 is electrified, the ASD 100 may open its relay310 and de-energize the flat wire 105. Then, the ASD 100 and thedestination devices 117 a-n may use the method described in the exampleabove to isolate the segment of the flat wire 105 in which the miswireor fault occurs, and the ASD 100 and the destination devices 117 a-n mayallow electrification of the flat wire 105 up until the segment of theflat wire 105 at which the miswire or fault occurs.

Additionally, if multiple segments of flat wire 105 are used to connecteach destination device 117 a-n, the ASD 100 may cause a switch in eachdestination device 117 a-n to be toggled in order to route a signaltransmitted over the flat wire 105 through a secondary flat wire segmentrather than a primary flat wire segment, as described above withreference to FIG. 17. Using the previous example prior to theelectrification of the flat wire 105, if a miswire or fault existed in asegment of flat wire 105 that connected the first destination device 117a and the second destination device 117 b, then the ASD 100 may cause aswitch in the first destination device 117 a to be toggled in order toswitch the segment of flat wire that connects the first destinationdevice 117 a and the second destination device 117 b to a secondarysegment of flat wire 1805 rather than a primary segment of flat wire105. At this point, the ASD 100 and/or the destination devices 117 a-nmay resume testing of the flat wire 105 by testing the secondary segmentof flat wire 105 that connects the first destination device 117 a andthe second destination device 117 b.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of a system in which multiple sourcedevices 103 a-d form a central device that monitors multiple flat wires105 a-d in a room, according to an illustrative embodiment of theinvention. Each source device 103 may contain an ASD 100. As shown inFIG. 19, more than one source device 103 a-d may be assembled into asingle device that is capable of monitoring multiple branches of flatwire 105 a-d extending from the combined device. Accordingly, thecombined device may form a central device that is capable of controllingmultiple flat wire branches 105 a-d. Each of the flat wire branches 105a-d may be terminated at a destination device 117 a-d. For example, thecombined source device 103 a-d may be placed in, on, or near one wall ofa room and separate flat wire branches 105 a-d may extend from thecombined source device to each wall of the room. The individual ASD'swithin the combined source device may then monitor one or more of theflat wire branches 105 a-d extending from the combined device. Althoughthe central device of FIG. 19 is depicted as a combination of sourcedevices 103 a-d, it will be appreciated that a single device may beutilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention to monitormultiple flat wire branches 105 a-d.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of flat wire network 2100 that includes anetwork of source devices 103 monitored by a central hub 2105, accordingto an illustrative embodiment of the invention. Each of the sourcedevices 103 may include one or more ASD's 100 capable of monitoring flatwire branches 105 connected to the source devices 103. A network may beestablished in which one or more electrical wires 2110, which may beconventional wire and/or flat wires 105, are connected between thecentral hub 2105, which may be associated with a common circuit breakerbox, to each room in a building. Each of these electrical wires 2110 maybe connected to a source device 103 in a separate room. Accordingly,each source device 103 may be used as a power center that services anentire room. This method of wiring may be, for example, an inexpensiveway to rewire a home where in-wall renovation is not practical, such asin some older homes. Once an electrical wire has been extended from thecentral hub 2105 to a room, the flat wire 105 becomes an economical andfeasible way to distribute power to each of the room's walls or to theroom's ceiling or floor. The source devices 103 may act as a powercenter that services each room by providing a gateway between theelectrical wire 2110 and the flat wire 105 branch circuits within theroom. Each of the flat wire 105 branch circuits may be connected to oneor more destination devices 117, as previously described. It will alsobe understood that each of the source devices 103 shown in FIG. 21 maycontain a single ASD 100 capable of monitoring one or more flat wire 105branch circuits or, alternatively, each of the source devices 117 maycontain more than one ASD 100 for monitoring flat wire 105 branchcircuits, as described with reference to FIG. 20 above.

Within a room, each source device 103 may service any of the walls,ceiling, and floor with a flat wire 105 branch circuit. Each sourcedevice 103 may individually control the flat wire 105 branch circuits towhich it is connected. Additionally, each source device 103 maycommunicate with branch circuit destination devices 117 over the flatwire 105 in order to monitor circuit safety and electrification status.As previously discussed, the destination devices 117 may include arelay, detection circuitry, and/or a control unit that is incommunication with the source device 117 monitoring the flat wire branchcircuit 105 to which the destination device 117 is connected.Accordingly, any segment of the flat wire network may be isolated andshut off if a flaw is detected in that segment. Additionally, eachsource device 117 may be surface mounted on a wall or mounted inside awall within the room, or situated nearby.

Each source device 103 also may communicate with a central hub 2105. Thecentral hub is preferably located near the circuit breaker box or atleast in the building. It also is possible, however, for the central hub2105 to be situated remotely to the building. The central hub 2105 maycollect data from each of the source devices 103 and provide safety andelectrification status for all of the branch circuits 105 in thebuilding. The central hub 2105 may also be surface mounted or mountedinside a wall.

If a flat wire 105 miswire or fault is detected on any given branchcircuit, then either the central hub 2105 or the source device 103controlling that branch circuit, or both, may render that branch circuitunusable and isolate it from the other branches. Alternatively adownstream destination device 117 connected to a source device 103 mayrender the miswired or faulty branch circuit unusable and isolate itfrom the other branches. In other words, that branch circuit may not bepermitted to be electrified. In this manner, a miswired or faulty branchcircuit may be rendered unusable while at least a portion of the otherbranch circuits are not affected. Therefore, a penetration of a flatwire 105 or a miswire of the conductors of a flat wire 105 may onlyresult in power loss in one branch of the flat wire network.

According to another aspect of the invention, the flat wire 105 may beused to communicate signals. These signals may be communicated betweenany device in a flat wire network or flat wire branch circuit over theflat wire 105. For example, with reference to FIG. 20, a signal may becommunicated between the ASD 100 in the source device 103 and any of thedestination devices 117 a-n over the flat wire 105. Similarly, withreference to FIG. 21, a signal may be transmitted over the flat wire 105from one source device 103 to another source device 103 or between thecentral hub 2105 and one of the source devices 103. It will beunderstood, however, that devices in a flat wire network or flat wirebranch circuit may be in communication with one another through wires,conductors, or optical fiber external to the flat wire 105 or,alternatively, through wireless communication means, for example, via awireless local area network.

A communications signal may be transmitted over any of the conductors ofthe flat wire 105. A separate communications signal may be transmittedover each of the individual conductors of the flat wire 105. A signalmay be communicated onto one or more of the conductors of the flat wire105 by an excitation circuit, for example, the excitation circuitdescribed above with reference to FIG. 9B. The signal may then beidentified and read from the one or more conductors of the flat wire 105by a sense circuit, for example, the sense circuit described above withreference to FIG. 9B. As an example, the grounding conductors 220, 225of the flat wire 105 may be used for communicating signals. The signalcommunicated across the grounding conductors 220, 225 may be a lowvoltage signal in the range of approximately 0.1 and 5.0 volts.Additionally, the frequency of a signal communicated across thegrounding conductors 220, 225 may be a frequency at or aboveapproximately 1000 Hz. There is normally no voltage or current presenton the grounding conductors 220, 225; therefore, the groundingconductors 220, 225 may beneficially be used to transmit communicationssignals even when the flat wire 105 has been fully electrified. Similarto the grounding conductors 220, 225, a communications signal may betransmitted over the return conductors 210, 215 of a flat wire 105. Thesignal communicated across the return conductors 210, 215 may be a lowvoltage signal in a range of approximately 0.1 to 5.0 volts.Additionally, the frequency of a signal communicated across the returnconductors 210, 215 may be a frequency at or above approximately 1000Hz. A signal may be communicated across the conductors of the flat wire105 while the flat wire 105 is electrified. It will be appreciated thata signal may include an appropriate identifier, such as a signal headerthat may be utilized to identify the signal and, therefore, preventfalse trips by one or more of the safety components of an ASD 100.

A communications signal may also be transmitted over the electrifiableconductor 205 of the flat wire 105. The signal communicated across theelectrifiable conductor 205 may be a low voltage signal at a voltage ofapproximately 0.1 to 5.0 volts. Additionally, the frequency of a signalcommunicated across the electrifiable conductor 205 may be at afrequency at or above approximately 1000 Hz. A signal may be transmittedover the electrifiable conductor 205 both when the flat wire 105 iselectrified and when the flat wire 105 is not electrified. In accordancewith the flat wire 105 used in conjunction with the present disclosure,an electrified flat wire 105 may carry a voltage signal of approximately110-130 volts (for North America applications) or approximately 230-250volts (for European applications) at a frequency of approximately 50-60Hertz. A communications signal, however, may still be transmitted overthe electrifiable conductor 205 using power line carrier (PLC) orbroadband over power line (BPL) technology, as will be understood bythose of ordinary skill in the art. A PLC or BPL signal transmitted overthe electrifiable conductor 205 may be at a voltage of approximately 0.1to 20 volts. In an example embodiment, the voltage of the signaltransmitted over the electrifiable conductor 205 may be at a voltage ofapproximately 0.1 to 5 volts. Additionally, a PLC or BPL signaltransmitted over the electrifiable conductor 205 may be at a frequencythat is greater than approximately one megahertz (MHz). For example, thefrequency may be in a range of approximately 2 to 20 MHz, although itwill be understood that frequencies up to and greater than approximately40 MHz may be used in conjunction with various embodiments of theinvention. Additionally, as discussed above, a signal may include anappropriate identifier.

According to another aspect of the invention, communications signalstransmitted over one or more of the conductors of a flat wire 105 may beused to establish communication between devices that are connected by aflat wire 105. For example, the communications signals may be used toestablish communication between two ASD's 100, between an ASD 100 and adestination device 117, or between an ASD 100 and a central hub 2105.Additionally, communication signals may be transmitted over the flatwire 105 by devices that are connected by the flat wire 105 according toa communications protocol. For example, the communications signals maybe transmitted via a user datagram protocol (UDP), via a transmissioncontrol protocol (TCP), or via another protocol as will be understood bythose of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, a communicationssignal may be used to establish a connection between two devicesconnected by flat wire 105. The connection established may bepoint-to-point connection or it may be some other type of connection,such as a peer-to-peer or local area network connection.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

1. A source device for use with electrical wire, the source devicecomprising: a line side input configured to connect to a line side powersource and receive an electrical power signal from the line side powersource; a flat wire connection configured to connect to an electricalflat wire, the electrical flat wire comprising a plurality ofconductors; at least one relay configured to control the communicationof the electrical power signal onto the electrical flat wire; and acontrol unit configured to (i) direct the communication of at least onetest signal onto at least one conductor of the electrical flat wire,(ii) monitor one or more of the other conductors of the electrical flatwire for one or more return signals, (iii) determine, based at least inpart on the monitoring, whether a miswire or wire fault is associatedwith the electrical flat wire, and (iv) control, based at least in parton the determination, the actuation of the at least one relay.
 2. Thesource device of claim 1, wherein the electrical flat wire comprises atleast one electrifiable conductor, at least one return conductor, and atleast one grounding conductor arranged in a stacked configuration. 3.The source device of claim 1, wherein the electrical flat wire comprisesan electrifiable conductor and two return conductors formed on oppositesides of the electrifiable conductor in a stacked configuration, andfurther comprising: at least one excitation component configured tocommunicate the at least one test signal; and at least one sensingcomponent configured to receive the one or more return signals.
 4. Thesource device of claim 3, wherein the at least one excitation componentand the at least one sensing component comprise a single component. 5.The source device of claim 3, wherein the at least one excitationcomponent comprises at least one relay that controls the provision of acurrent limited signal to the at least one conductor.
 6. The sourcedevice of claim 3, wherein: a destination device is situated at a distalend of the electrical flat wire, the destination device configured toform an electrical connection between the two return conductors forpurposes of testing the electrical flat wire; the at least oneexcitation component is configured to communicate the test signal onto afirst return conductor; the at least one sensing component is configuredto monitor the electrifiable conductor for a return signal; and thecontrol unit is configured to identify a wire fault or miswire based atleast in part upon the detection of a return signal on the electrifiableconductor.
 7. The source device of claim 1, wherein a destination deviceis situated at a distal end of the electrical flat wire, the destinationdevice configured to form an electrical connection between two of theplurality of conductors, wherein the destination device comprises a timedelay relay that isolates an electrical load from the electrical flatwire for a period of time suitable for testing the electrical flat wire.8. The source device of claim 1, wherein the at least one test signal iscommunicated onto the at least one conductor prior to an electrificationof the electrical flat wire.
 9. The source device of claim 1, whereinthe control unit is further configured to (i) actuate the at least onerelay to facilitate the communication of the electrical power signalonto the electrical flat wire, (ii) monitor one or more conductors ofthe electrical flat wire, (iii) identify, based at least in part on themonitoring, a wire fault or abnormal condition, and (iv) open the atleast one relay based at least in part upon the identification.
 10. Thesource device of claim 9, wherein the identified wire fault or abnormalcondition comprises at least one of (i) an identified current signal onat least one grounding conductor of the electrical flat wire, (ii) anidentified current signal on an electrifiable conductor of theelectrical flat wire that exceed a predetermined threshold value, (iii)an identified current differential between an electrifiable conductor ofthe electrical flat wire and at least one return conductor of theelectrical flat wire that exceed a predetermined threshold value, or(iv) an identified arcing event.
 11. An electrical flat wire systemcomprising: a source device configured to be coupled to a line sidepower source, the source device comprising an active safety device and afirst flat wire termination; a destination device comprising a secondflat wire termination; and an electrical flat wire having a first endcoupled to the first flat wire termination and a second end coupled tothe second flat wire termination, the electrical flat wire comprising aplurality of conductors, wherein the active safety device is configuredto (i) communicate at least one test signal onto at least one conductorof the electrical flat wire, (ii) monitor one or more of the otherconductors of the electrical flat wire for one or more return signals,(iii) determine, based at least in part on the monitoring, whether amiswire or wire fault is associated with the electrical flat wire, and(iv) control, based at least in part on the determination, thecommunication of an electrical power signal from the line side powersource to the electrical flat wire.
 12. The electrical flat wire systemof claim 11, wherein the electrical flat wire comprises at least oneelectrifiable conductor, at least one return conductor, and at least onegrounding conductor arranged in a stacked configuration.
 13. Theelectrical flat wire system of claim 11, wherein: the electrical flatwire comprises an electrifiable conductor and two return conductorsformed on opposite sides of the electrifiable conductor in a stackedconfiguration, and the active safety device comprises (i) at least oneexcitation component configured to communicate the at least one testsignal and (ii) at least one sensing component configured to receive theone or more return signals.
 14. The electrical flat wire system of claim13, wherein: the destination device is configured to form an electricalconnection between the two return conductors for purposes of testing theelectrical flat wire, the at least one excitation component isconfigured to communicate the test signal onto a first return conductor,the at least one sensing component is configured to monitor theelectrifiable conductor for a return signal, and the active safety isconfigured to (i) identify a wire fault or miswire based at least inpart upon the detection of a return signal on the electrifiableconductor.
 15. The electrical flat wire system of claim 11, wherein theat least one test signal is communicated onto the at least one conductorprior to the communication of the electrical power signal from the lineside power source to the electrical flat wire.
 16. The electrical flatwire system of claim 11, wherein the active safety device is furtherconfigured to (i) direct the communication of the electrical powersignal onto the electrical flat wire, (ii) monitor one or moreconductors of the electrical flat wire, (iii) identify, based at leastin part on the monitoring, a wire fault or abnormal condition, and (iv)de-energize, based at least in part upon the identification, theelectrical flat wire by ceasing the communication of the electricalpower signal onto the electrical flat wire.
 17. The electrical flat wiresystem of claim 16, wherein the identified wire fault or abnormalcondition comprises at least one of (i) an identified current signal onat least one grounding conductor of the electrical flat wire, (ii) anidentified current signal on an electrifiable conductor of theelectrical flat wire that exceed a predetermined threshold value, (iii)an identified current differential between an electrifiable conductor ofthe electrical flat wire and at least one return conductor of theelectrical flat wire that exceed a predetermined threshold value, or(iv) an identified arcing event.
 18. A method for monitoring anelectrical flat wire, the method comprising: connecting an electricalflat wire to a source device, wherein the source device is configured tocontrol the provision of an electrical power signal onto the electricalflat wire; communicating, by the source device, a test signal onto afirst conductor of the electrical flat wire; monitoring, by the sourcedevice, one or more other conductors of the electrical flat wire for atleast one return signal; determining, by the source device based atleast in part on the monitoring, whether a miswire or wire fault isassociated with the electrical flat wire; and controlling, by the sourcedevice based at least in part on the determination, the provision of theelectrical power signal onto the electrical flat wire.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, wherein connecting an electrical flat wire comprisesconnecting an electrical flat wire comprising at least one electrifiableconductor, at least one return conductor, and at least one groundingconductor arranged in a stacked configuration.
 20. The method of claim18, wherein: connecting an electrical flat wire comprises connecting anelectrical flat wire comprising an electrifiable conductor and tworeturn conductors formed on opposite sides of the electrifiableconductor in a stacked configuration, communicating a test signalcomprises communicating a test signal utilizing at least one excitationcomponent, and monitoring one or more other conductors comprisesmonitoring utilizing at least one sensing component.
 21. The method ofclaim 20, further comprising: providing a destination device configuredto form an electrical connection between the two return conductors forpurposes of testing the electrical flat wire, wherein communicating atest signal onto a first conductor comprises communicating a test signalonto a first return conductor, wherein monitoring one or more otherconductors for at least one return signal comprises monitoring theelectrifiable conductor for a return signal, and wherein determiningwhether a miswire or wire fault is associated with the electrical flatwire comprises identifying a miswire or wire fault based at least inpart upon the detection of a return signal on the electrifiableconductor.
 22. The method of claim 18, wherein communicating a testsignal comprises communicating a test signal prior to the provision ofthe electrical power signal onto the electrical flat wire.
 23. Themethod of claim 18, further comprising: directing, by the source device,communication of the electrical power signal onto the electrical flatwire; monitor, by the source device, one or more conductors of theelectrical flat wire; identifying, by the source device based at leastin part on the monitoring, a wire fault or abnormal condition associatedwith the electrical flat wire; and de-energizing, by the source devicebased at least in part upon the identification, the electrical flat wireby ceasing the communication of the electrical power signal onto theelectrical flat wire.
 24. The method of claim 18, wherein identifying awire fault or abnormal condition comprises identifying at least one of(i) an identified current signal on at least one grounding conductor ofthe electrical flat wire, (ii) an identified current signal on anelectrifiable conductor of the electrical flat wire that exceed apredetermined threshold value, (iii) an identified current differentialbetween an electrifiable conductor of the electrical flat wire and atleast one return conductor of the electrical flat wire that exceed apredetermined threshold value, or (iv) an identified arcing event.